Ponteland 2nd XV 10 – 19 Morpeth Ed’s

After a very dominant display against Medicals the previous week and a strong squad being fielded against, top of the table, Morpeth this week there was a sense of confidence in this fixture for Ponteland. Everybody, however, was wary that nobody gets to be 6 points ahead at the top of the table by chance, and so it was that Morpeth came at us hard and with desire forcing Ponteland to show that we wanted it just as much. Although we looked to be outmatched in our work rate at the break down, being successfully counter-rucked off our ball at the first 2 break downs, we did quickly find our advantage on the field. the first line out coming after several phases of high intensity open play from both sides, as well as a couple of very competitive scrums, and the maul was set up almost perfectly driving the Morpeth pack 15 meters up the pitch. This was to be repeated several times over the next 10 minutes and each time the Ponteland pack seemed more irresistible to the defence. Discipline was to be our downfall and several instances of handling at the ruck then back chat to the referee saw a lot of our hard work being undone very quickly. More open play and exchanges of attacking play saw Morpeth break through the Ponteland defence and score what was to be the only try of the first half, missing the conversion leaving the score at 0-5 to the away team. Pont could sense that a lead was still within reach but would have to push hard for points in this game. All the plays we attempted both from the backs and up front with the forwards seemed promising for the first couple of phases but errors were what killed most momentum we could build up in the game. However the desire was there and Ponteland just needed to find that weak spot in the opposition. Hopefully after the half time talk.

The second half came and, with it, came the chance for Ponteland to pin the opposition back in their own half. With the tackling looking better it was achieved and Ponteland put the pressure on Morpeth. However the visitors were looking good on the counter attack as well and their number 8 managed to break the line and show some good pace to put an inside ball to his winger for, what looked like, a certain try. Only to be thwarted by a good shout for tackle of the season put in by stand in full back, Courtney West, causing the winger to knock the ball on across the line and win possession back for Ponteland. Unfortunately Ponteland were unable to prevent the away side from running through, I have to admit, some good hands movement and crossing the line for a second time, this time getting the conversion 0-12. Cutting down the penalty count against us helped in our fight to gain the upper hand in this game and eventually it was Chris Searle who dirtied the potential clean sheet for Morpeth, conversion missed, 5-12. Clawing back a result was still more than possible which only increased the standard of rugby from both sides who were now looking ready to fight tooth and nail for victory, but settling for just fist and elbow at some points, Morpeth eventually capitalising on another lapse in concentration from Ponteland in defence and, despite the best efforts of Courtney to make a sweeping tackle, were able to power over the line and convert to put the result at 5-19. Ponteland were not out of it yet and spend the majority of the rest of the game in enemy territory pushing for more points unfortunately by now the line out calls had been sussed by the opposing line and were being nullified more often now, although not completely ruling them out. With changes made and the pack reshuffled the final line out of the game saw the maul pushing towards the line and resulting in Rob Earnshaw falling over the line from the back of the driving maul out wide. The final whistle blew as the conversion fell short. Final score was 10-19 to Morpeth who showed some real skill and forced Ponteland to display some very good and typically brave rugby for most of the game. A big well done to everyone contributing in the match for really pushing hard against tough opposition, keeping this standard up for the rest of the season and even improving on it will, without a doubt, make this a successful season indeed.

Bringing back the age old traditions of Man of the Match and Dick of the Day this week the former I’ll definitely be awarding to Courtney West for busting a gut to save us from conceding twice in the game with two very skilful tackles.
The latter will go to a certain James Towart-Adams for all but shouting where he would throw the ball and giving possession away 10 meters out from his own try line. Lessons learned mate

Look forward to another big game from a strong side, Percy Park Pumas will come down to test us so get down to training on Thursday night and lets start working as a team to get these performances right on Saturday!