Pontefract headed east and on a sunny autumnal day, gave a wholehearted performance which earned an important win. The faithful were also richly entertained by the U14's who won their curtain raiser in fine style, with some real stars of the future on show.

Pontefract faced adversity before the kick off as scrum half Harry Woolaston pulled a hamstring in the warmup. It was left to coach Craig Fawcett to come out of retirement and produce what turned out to be a match winning contribution with two excellent tries.

Both sides missed early kickable penalties, but it was Ponte who broke the deadlock. A superb show and go from Liam Kay put himself away before finding Fawcett on the inside shoulder, who scampered under the posts for a try converted by Kay.

Ponte were then forced to defend their line manfully, especially against the opponent’s well drilled catch and drive, a facet of the game they have had a lot of success through the season. The pressure did tell eventually as Scunny scored an unconverted try from close range after a series of penalties.

Ponte soon replied with a well struck penalty from Kay which gave them a half time lead of ten points to five.

Things got better for Ponte straight after the restart as Scunny had a forward red carded for punching. This in turn lead to some Ponte pressure and were unlucky not to score out wide as Winger Josh Millthorpe just failed to ground the ball. The pressure was rewarded with a Kay penalty.

The ascendancy continued and was rewarded as a long break from the excellent Jack Beddis, was driven on by Sam Millard, which allowed Fawcett to jink his way over from the base of the ruck for a converted try.

With the score at twenty points to five and a with a numerical advantage, it looked as if it was game over. This seemed to translate to the players and despite Prop Josh Stuart been held up inches short, Scunny came battling back. A couple of penalties put Ponte on the back foot and the cover got sucked in for a converted try.

Kay stretched the lead to eleven points, but errors started creeping into Ponte’s excellent but tiring defence which allowed another converted try from close range.

A brilliant tackle from Milthorpe stopped Scunny’s desperate attacking play but holes were now appearing out wide and the excellent Scunny centre made a long break to the Ponte twenty-two. From that, Ponte conceded four penalties in quick succession as Scunny pounded the Ponte line on the last play. Heroic tackles from Tad Nyanjowa and Millard were followed by prop Josh Hough getting his ample frame under the ball, over the line and, to the huge relief of everyone from Ponte, it was game over.

Best for Ponte was Beddis and Kay in the backs with Callum Rogers exceptional up front. Subs Stuart Dedicoat and Andy Fenton added impetus, but every facet of the game, except the penalties given away when under pressure, was good from Ponte. Away wins are very difficult to gain in this league and this could be a very important victory come the end of the season.

Buckophotography was taking a well earned break this weekend, so we are grateful to Bill and Maria Rhoades of Scunthorpe for their images, more of which can be found on the Scunthorpe Facebook page.

Next week we make the long trip to Alnwick. The bus will depart at 09:15 prompt. Supporters welcome at £10/head including breakfast in the clubhouse beforehand.