With several players missing, travelling to unbeaten Brod’s was a tough prospect for Ponte on Saturday. Ponte were also unbeaten however and reputations as well as league points were at stake, so the lads were fully aware of the task ahead of them.

The home crowd were in ebullient mood having been entertained in the clubhouse by comedian Martin Gold in the clubhouse before the game. The laughter soon stopped however as Ponte opened the scoring with a fine forwards try credited to Tad Nyanjowa and converted by Alfie Abbott after just eleven minutes.

Playing down the fierce slope in the first half Ponte expected to have the advantage in the first half, but after the opening score the tide turned in favour of Brods. Playing some powerful rugby and helped by repeated handling Ponte errors the home team piled on the scores with four unanswered tries (two converted) and a penalty to make it 29:7 at half time. This put the smile back on the faces of the home crowd, but Ponte gave glimpse of their true form by finishing the half well but were once again let down by handling errors.

Coach Craig Fawcett had some strong words and the players themselves spoke passionately in the half time huddle. It was clear they understood what they needed to do in the second half, as the game restarted.

This was a different Pontefract team playing with aggression and the precision they lacked in the first half. Playing up the slope is always a daunting prospect at Brod’s but supported Abbot’s astute kicking game and some outstanding individual performances Ponte denied the opposition almost any possession for the rest of the game. The pressure paid off when Sam Gilbert crossed for Ponte’s second try after a flowing move involving backs and forwards. Agonisingly Abbots conversion hit the post to make it 29:12.

Any notion of turning the score around seemed like a distant prospect at this stage, but the team stuck to their task. Following a sin bin for Brod’s Ponte once again pressured and Brodie Matthews scored from a rolling maul which was converted by Abbot to make is 29:19 with around ten minutes left on the clock.

Suddenly the game seemed to be within Ponte’s grasp and the team stepped up another gear. A fine break by Matthews almost resulted in another try, but the resulting line out gave Ponte field position allowing winger Lucas Ketteridge to score in the corner. With his finest ball strike of the day Abbot converted from the touchline to make it 29:26.

Alas there was no further time on the clock, and the referee who had an excellent game called an end to the match. Ponte may have lost the game but secured two valuable bonus points and can take great confidence from their second half performance.

The scrum was a powerhouse throughout the game with front rowers Smith, Anderson, Potts, Jex and debutante Webley all impressing. In the backs Coleman ran strongly, and Max Copley gave an assured performance at full back.

Next week the team travel to Bradford Salem who are also unbeaten for another stern test. After this week’s performance they will fancy their chances.