Last minute try clinches victory for 2s

Ponteland 2/3s 17 Gosforth 2/3s 10

. A good competitive game was the result of a late arranged friendly and both teams will have taken a lot out of getting players much needed game time.
Gosforth`s start was disrupted by a shortage of a couple of players, one turned up before kick off but Dave Leethard agreed to help out in first half until the 15th man turned up at half time . A stronger set of backs for Ponteland was offset by a few forwards making their first forays of the season onto the lush green stuff. With a few guys being rotated on 1st xv this meant full games and valuable match fitness for many who will be required for 1st xv in a long season.
Pont started off strongly and although most of the team had not played together some blossoming partnerships are starting to develop and new patterns of play starting to take shape once a settled side beds in things look promising. With more pace and tenacity in the back line the first try on 15 mins after a sustained period of pressure was fully justified .After numerous changes were made on 20 mins by Pont the now heavier forwards lost a bit in the loose play and Gosforth capitalised with some driving forward play rewarded with a try neither kicker was in top form so 5-5 at half time. Gosforth then started to get more ball, the scrums became a bit of a lottery with the ref doing his best but not really getting to grips with the front row vagaries. A try scoring pass was cynically cut out resulting in ten mins sunbathing for a remorseful Gosforth prop and uncontested scrums for him to watch. A lapse in the Pont defence was capitalised on for Gosforth to take the lead again unconverted .This stirred Pont into a bit more urgency but it was a bit of Gosforth pressure which resulted in the next try when well inside the Pont 22 they lost control of the ball this was quickly passed out to Andy Williams who scorched over for a try to Pont from all of 90 metres beating the cover defence but unable to get close to the uprights for the extras .This made it all square and all to play for and the extra momentum went with Ponteland who started attacking at will and this resulted in a well worked try ,good forward driving play committed Gos defenders and when the ball went wide it was Andy Williams who finished well cutting back inside 3 covering defenders to cap another impressive display from him and leave Will McGawley an easier conversion which he made no mistake with ,just as final whistle was blown.
Healthy numbers were down and this allowed players to be rolled off and on and both teams got much needed work outs on a warm sept afternoon. Plus points for Pont were the win, an all action display from Oscar Redman on his senior debut the return to action of Adam Suppan , Vic Lupnya ,Steve Curry and Stevie Mugford another good outing from Elliott Mew after his chest infection some bullocking runs from Phil McAreevey and a cameo from Phil Redhead filling in on the flank.
The hard part is selecting the 18 to travel to Westoe next week and when everyone is back off holiday the 3s looking distinct possibility
Team L Coulthard, E Mew, C Steven, V Lupnya, A Clark, D Harrison, P Redhead, P McAreavey , P Newbiggin, W McGawley, O Redman, D Stromsoy, A Suppan, S Mugford, A Williams ,S Curry, A Hindmarsh, D Leethard, O Lane , G Turnbull,