There have been some memorable wins in the past few seasons and, in what was the clubs first ever visit to high flying Rochdale, Ponte produced a wonderful performance and result to add to the list.

Rochdale have a reputation for playing an attractive handling game and this reputation proved accurate as Ponte conceded two early tries to go fourteen nil down.

As the game progressed it was obvious that the reason Rochdale played such a running game was because there was a weakness up front and Ponte had the pack power to dominate the set piece and make their opponents pay. The front row boys of Steve Anderson, Ethan Potts and Tom Webley put their opponents to the sword and Ponte replied with a converted pushover try for veteran Andy Lund.

With the platform set and the magnificent Matthews brothers in rampaging form, the forwards again drove over the line for impressive number eight Sean Simpson to touch down, this time unconverted. Rochdale replied with a magnificent opportunist try from their speedy left wing to extend their lead to nine points at half time.

It was obvious what Ponte needed to do, and more good forward play allowed Kay to grubber through for Ponte’s own speedster Josh Milthorpe to chase and score, converted by Kay.

The entertainment continued as Rochdale replied with a try but the now completely dominant scrum gleaned penalty after penalty to gain territory for Simpson to score his second. Converted by Kay, Ponte were two points behind going into the last five minutes.

The tension was unbearable for the sizeable crowd and Rochdale conceded a penalty on the halfway line. One of the Rochdale players gave the referee some backchat and he marched them back ten yards to crucially put the penalty in range of Kay who coolly slotted the kick between the uprights to seal a dramatic victory.

Simpson was given the man of the match for two tries and a workmanlike performance, but the team were outstanding throughout. It was great to see Ponte adapting their game plan to make the most of their dominance up front.

Ponte are 5th in the league and next Saturday they take on 3rd placed Scarborough at home in what should be a belter of a game. Kick off 2:15pm