Another league match, another win for a toughly contested match versus Novo's 2's. Making the tally for the season so far: 6 wins, 1 defeat and 1 abandoned for the first half of the season.
Although the scoreline suggests a dominant Ponteland performance this was not the case. The first 20 minutes found Ponteland defending deep in their 22, with wave upon wave of attacks stopped on the gain line. When Ponteland did regain possesion the opposition put tremendous pressure on clearance kicks and kept us cornered. With Ponteland holding firm at set pieces and giving nothing around the fringes with disciplined physical tackling, the pressure came to nothing.
Ponteland finally got a foothold in the game by some quick thinking by the forwards. On the 22, a lineout was taken quickly while Novo's were still not organised. The ball, which was delivered to Freer with precision from Norris, was driven deep into the opposition 22. Desperate to stop the maul, Novo's piled in, allowing space for Rick Younger to burst off the back and run in the score. Conversion from out wide added by Young. Despite serious pressure approching the whistle Ponteland failed to score with Freer being held up over the line.
At the break, it was agreed that to put this team to the sword we would need to get to the breakdown quicker and trust that our fitness would hold. The second half Ponteland had the better possesion and with time points began to come. The first of these came from a straight forward penalty, which was duly converted by Kulik. When Novo's broke from inside their 22 Ponteland were glad to see the legs of Varley covering back at a canter to stop a certain try.
Another try for Frayne was scored with a missed conversion. The game was not over though as Novo's searched for points of their own. Wherever they looked though there was always a maroon shirt to greet them. Ponteland discpline was good and turnovers came from some agressive work at the breakdown.
The final ten minutes polished off a fine performance. Another lineout and maul was moved through the hands of the backs for Britland coming in from full back to jink through and score. Yound added the conversion. And final try came for Younger. The ball had been spread to Frayne, P Curry took the offload in support with quickball provided by a blast out in the ruck. Having taken a rest for a break in the second half to take a crap, Younger latched onto the ball 10 meters out with only a winger to stop him. The 3rd conversion added in what was a good place kicking dispaly by Young.
Try Scorers:
R Younger (2 off)
P Britland
M Frayne
Pens:
J Kulik
Cons:
P Young (3 off)
MoM: Joe Laser for his work at the breakdown
DoD: R younger for leaving his mates with only 14 men for nearly 10 minutes to take a crap.
A Xmas break for the 2's now - But make your way to the Davey Reay Memorial game - Mon, 28th Dec @ 1100hrs.
