York 23 v 12 Pontefract

Saturday 24th November 2012

By Steve Maud.

Pontefract started today above York in the league table but a try bonus point win together with other results going our way could see York move to 5th in the table. Pontefract however didn’t come to make the numbers up, they were robust and their lack of discipline in recent games was repeated and proved to be their Achilles heel. With a close to freezing fog enveloping Clifton Park as usual it will be the side who adapts to the conditions best and makes the least number of errors that will be the side most likely to prevail.
On a day when the match official gave out more cards to the Pontefract team than he would normally do at Christmas. You would be forgiven for thinking York should have won this game easily, but the truth is some equally baffling decisions against York within 2 metres of the Pontefract try line would see the game go to the wire and the Clifton Park faithful endure another nail biting final 10 minutes to the game.
The game started well enough for York when after midfield pressure and Pontefract wing being caught offside the resultant kick to the corner and the catch and drive was about to dish up the usual fayre when inexplicably the helmsman broke early from the rear of the advancing juggernaut and was brought down short of the line. Luckily for him Pontefract had strayed offside again and were penalised on the 5 metre line. A semi quick tap and go by prop Darren Rutherford found him in an arm wrestle in the Pontefract in goal area before successfully getting the ball down for the York opening score. The conversion was missed York 5 – 0 Pontefract after 4 minutes.
From the restart the usual York error presented Pontefract with a penalty and after defending the catch and drive in the corner they were caught offside in front of their own posts as Pontefract moved the ball wide. Penalty converted by Benn 5 – 3.
York’s indiscipline around the breakdown and in the midfield defence saw them concede 8 penalties in the first 17 minutes of the game allowing Pontefract to build up field position; the latter by Fox in front of his own posts 22 metres out was converted by Benn to give Pontefract the lead 5 – 6.
No sooner in front Pontefract from the restart conceded a penalty on their own 22 when they moved the ball and were penalised for holding on in the tackle. Peter Martin kicked for the corner. This time the catch and drive is well executed with Steve Kerr scoring York’s second try. Conversion missed 10 – 6.
York enjoyed field position and always looked dangerous when they moved the ball wide, they went close to improving their score a couple of times, only for handling errors to let the Pontefract scrambling defence off the hook. On 29 minutes York would score another close range try through Alex Nixon after some good work by the forwards and individual strength by Aaron Thompson on the wing deep inside the Pontefract 22. The conversion was (guess what). 15 – 6.
Despite Pontefract losing two men to the sin bin in the last 10 minutes of the first half, firstly for blocking a quick tap and go (Benn on 31 minutes) and then Townend for persistent infringements just before half time York were unable to improve on their score before half time.
The early stages of the second half were littered by errors and penalties by both sides. Pontefract probably enjoyed more possession and field position. As the game moved into the final quarter Pontefract would improve on their score by two further penalty conversions either side of Matty Hargreaves penalty for York. The only action of note before a nail biting finale saw another yellow card being handed out to Fenton (lock) who dropped the York driving maul as it was about to cross the Pontefract line, the referee should have gone under the posts as it was a nailed on penalty try. His decision not to, would see a tense finish as Pontefract went close with 3 minutes to go. Good York defence kept them at bay and when they were forced into touch yards from the York line few would think that York would get down the other end of the pitch to score, but they did. Courtesy of a high tackle on Bradshaw the fourth yellow was produced for the Pontefract side. From the resultant penalty York moved the ball off the line out with Gareth Singleton powering up the middle from the blindside wing before slipping the ball to Peter Martin who carried the ball and three defenders deep into the Pontefract 22. From the ruck York saw quick ball delivered to Alex Nixon who with Bradshaw and Singleton waiting outside carried the ball into the last defender and was held up short. Nixon’s bacon was saved by Will Enslin who ripped the ball off him and powered across the line to score, secure the win and the bonus point. Do I need to say it again? (conversion missed). Final score 23 – 12.