Sat 14 Jan 2023
Match report by Richard Turner
With Brods playing uphill Pontefract opened well using the advantage of a strong wind blowing down the ground. They took the game to the home side however their pressure was relieved following repeated penalties awarded due to offences committed at the breakdown. Ponty went close in the corner however Brods defence held, assisted by handling errors by the visitors. Eventually the pressure in Brods territory told and when the ball was moved to the left, good handling by the their backs resulted in the left centre breaking the defensive line to score the opening try. Liam Kay converted making it 7-0 after 15 minutes play.
Pontefract continued to press enjoying the majority of the possession but were again let down by handling errors. Their indiscipline resulted in a yellow card for one of their second rows and the Woodhead boys started to gain momentum up the hill.
Following a good penalty to the corner a well taken line out resulted in the ball being driven at pace over the Pontefract line and a try for Elliot Craven, the try was converted from the touchline by Matty Briggs to put the two sides level 7-7 .
Brods competitive defence caused more unforced errors by the Ponty backs in the closing seconds of the first half with some outstanding work as they pressed for a further score before half time. However the visitors’ defence held and the game was in the balance as the two sides had their half time break.
In the second half Pontefract opened well and showed their intent with a simple game plan against the elements. Kay, their No. 10, conducted play to keep the ball close to the ruck and when they worked their way into Brods territory, they used their big forwards at close range to pick and drive for the line. The resulting try was scored close to the posts and was converted 14-7.
From the restart Brods took the initiative and camped in the visitors 22 Brods. Pressure was telling with dominance in the scrum and lineout resulting in repeated penalties being awarded to the Woodhead boysoor. Poor handling however meant that Brods could not take advantage of their position. Ponty responded well and wrestled the initiative to once more make good ground through close support work and they scored using this simple method to score under the posts, the easy conversion resulted in a 21-7 scoreline with 20 minutes still to play.
Kay continued to control the game with some astute kicking out of hand however the Hipperholme boys spirit held and heads didn’t drop with the reversal. They worked their way once more into Pontefract territory, a lineout drive, penalty and good handling gave Loketi Manu the chance and he plunged over the line with a try close to the posts 21-14.
The game grew scrappy in the closing seconds and Brods, in their desperation to open up the game and try to draw level, conceded a penalty. Ponty took their chance to deny Brods a bonus point by kicking the goal and take a well-deserved victory 24-14.
Brods should not be too disappointed with this setback as they competed throughout and indeed were the dominant forward pack for much of the game. Handling was difficult in atrocious conditions and both sides contributed to a very competitive match up.
With Brods playing uphill Pontefract opened well using the advantage of a strong wind blowing down the ground. They took the game to the home side however their pressure was relieved following repeated penalties awarded due to offences committed at the breakdown. Ponty went close in the corner however Brods defence held, assisted by handling errors by the visitors. Eventually the pressure in Brods territory told and when the ball was moved to the left, good handling by the their backs resulted in the left centre breaking the defensive line to score the opening try. Liam Kay converted making it 7-0 after 15 minutes play.
Pontefract continued to press enjoying the majority of the possession but were again let down by handling errors. Their indiscipline resulted in a yellow card for one of their second rows and the Woodhead boys started to gain momentum up the hill.
Following a good penalty to the corner a well taken line out resulted in the ball being driven at pace over the Pontefract line and a try for Elliot Craven, the try was converted from the touchline by Matty Briggs to put the two sides level 7-7 .
Brods competitive defence caused more unforced errors by the Ponty backs in the closing seconds of the first half with some outstanding work as they pressed for a further score before half time. However the visitors’ defence held and the game was in the balance as the two sides had their half time break.
In the second half Pontefract opened well and showed their intent with a simple game plan against the elements. Kay, their No. 10, conducted play to keep the ball close to the ruck and when they worked their way into Brods territory, they used their big forwards at close range to pick and drive for the line. The resulting try was scored close to the posts and was converted 14-7.
From the restart Brods took the initiative and camped in the visitors 22 Brods. Pressure was telling with dominance in the scrum and lineout resulting in repeated penalties being awarded to the Woodhead boysoor. Poor handling however meant that Brods could not take advantage of their position. Ponty responded well and wrestled the initiative to once more make good ground through close support work and they scored using this simple method to score under the posts, the easy conversion resulted in a 21-7 scoreline with 20 minutes still to play.
Kay continued to control the game with some astute kicking out of hand however the Hipperholme boys spirit held and heads didn’t drop with the reversal. They worked their way once more into Pontefract territory, a lineout drive, penalty and good handling gave Loketi Manu the chance and he plunged over the line with a try close to the posts 21-14.
The game grew scrappy in the closing seconds and Brods, in their desperation to open up the game and try to draw level, conceded a penalty. Ponty took their chance to deny Brods a bonus point by kicking the goal and take a well-deserved victory 24-14.
Brods should not be too disappointed with this setback as they competed throughout and indeed were the dominant forward pack for much of the game. Handling was difficult in atrocious conditions and both sides contributed to a very competitive match up.
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