Pontefract RUFC edged out in close contest at Scarborough
Pontefract RUFC were edged out 17-13 by Scarborough in a Regional Two North East game played on a stunning sunny day at the coast.
Played at one of the best facilities in the league or any other, it was a game featuring two evenly matched teams with the Boro rearguard action doing just enough to keep Ponte at bay.
Ponte started well, going through phase after phase without errors, against a team happy not to commit numbers to the ruck and crowd the defensive line.
Scarborough opened the scoring with a penalty at the ruck, but Ponte soon replied. Despite losing lock Bailly Matthews to a yellow card for a high tackle, a brilliant half-break and offload by centre Harry Mcallister put onrushing fly-half Richard Hossack away. He drew the full-back and put player-coach Craig Fawcett in at the corner for a well worked unconverted try.
Ponte’s defence was its usual brilliant self, but an uncharacteristic mix-up in the defensive line led to a converted Boro try before half-time which made it 10-5 at the break.
Ponte started the second half playing some enterprising rugby and were rewarded with a Harry Woolastan penalty at the breakdown.
From the restart, a poor clearance allowed Boro possession and they scored a well worked try after going through the phases. Converted from out wide, the hosts were 17-8 ahead.
Despite the score, Ponte were well in the game and the scrum started to dominate. A controversial, disallowed pushover try by Sam Millard was soon followed by a try from winger Ciaran Tucker with good hands down the backs from a go forward scrum. Crucially, the conversion hit the post, but it was game on.
Ponte needed field position and a brilliant long ranging touch finder from Fawcett gave them just that. From the line-out Josh Hough was pulled down inches short. Letting the forwards batter the line was surely the way to go, but alas the ball went out early and a poor cross kick went astray and the game was gone.
Man of the match for Ponte was rampaging number eight Millard. It was however, a good all round team performance which on many other days would have produced a win.
Pontefract remain in fourth and next tackle seventh-placed Selby at home this Saturday.