A resilient effort
By John Chappell
Pont win a pulsating game at Gateshead 39-32
With Browne, Lane, Boyes, Stewart, West, Long, McKenna and Chick missing Pont again required the youngsters ( and
Chris Steven!) to step up
From the kick off Pont conceded two penalties within 60 seconds in what looked like a long day against the whistle. Quickly settling a break down field saw Blain clear and a sweet inside pass saw Mould crash over . McConnell made it 7-0 3 min) Ponts scrum was getting on top and a quick move out wide saw Gerrard blast down the wing allowing
Oscar Redman to finish for a try. Again McConnell added 14-0 (17 min) Gateshead were fighting back and a slip pass from a scrum saw them over for a converted try 14-7 ( 26 min) . Pont were under the cosh as the home side made it 14-10 (29 min) and 14-13 ( 35 min) . A sweeping break by Gateshead then saw them in the lead from an excellent try 14-18 (36 min) with the last play of the half, or so Pont thought, a massive line out drive saw Blain over 19-18. ( 40 min) . I’m not sure whether his watch stopped or if he was just engrossed in the game but the ref managed to conjure up another ten minutes of play until Pont’s defence cracked and Gateshead got a converted try 19-25 HT
The second half continued at the same hectic pace as Pont’s scrum again caused problems. An early penalty was missed by Pont and then an excellent inside line saw Blain over again to make it 24-25 ( 53 min) Pont now began to up the pressure and another line out drive from out wide saw Gregor Redman claim the points 29-25 ( 71 min) . A clear knock on was missed from the kick off as Gateshead swarmed forwards and a line out drive seemed held up as the ref gave a penalty try to the home team 29-32 (75 min) Pont immediately replied with a massive drive from 20 metres. A collapse on the line saw an equal return for Pont as another penalty try was given. (77 min) Gateshead were reduced to 14 with a yellow as a player swore at the ref! A missed penalty failed to ease Pont’s nerves until Lawson kicked the final score 39-32 (79 min) From the kick off Gregor Redman made a crucial turnover to seal the game.
Pont played some excellent rugby and were resilient in defence to keep out a lively Gateshead and against a punishing penalty count. Could we have lost it - hell yes. Did we deserve to win - scoring 6 tries to 4 - yes we did