Pontefract Pythons vs Marist RUFC

Early in the game a long kick from Jeff Brady making welcome return gave Marist position in the home 22, and when Pontefract conceded a penalty, Marist twice ran the ball, and a long pass from Vernon was well gathered by Jack Botham for the opening score, which was converted by Vernon to make the score 0-7.

Pontefract attacked from the kick off, and after a spell of pressure, Marist conceded possession at a scrappy scrum and allowed Pontefract to cross the line to make the score 5-7 after 10 minutes.

Five minutes later, the home side took the lead when poor defence down the right wing allowed the home side to score in the corner and a good conversion made the score 12-7.

Following a period of scrappy play, another long kick from full back Brady again gave Marist field position, and following a scrum and pick up from No 8 Bobby Marrow the ball was moved through hands for captain Andy Murphy to make a telling break through the defence and slipped the ball for Paul Ford to run in unopposed, the try was again converted by Vernon to make the score 12-14.

Again Marist were guilty of sloppy defence, and allowed the home side to score down the right touchline and regain the lead 17-14.

Marist regained possession from the kick off, and a long kick was chased by Jack Botham who pressurised the defence to concede a five metre line out. The ball was cleaned up and driven by Rob Parker, then fed out to Ian Vernon, who ghosted through the defence to score under the posts, he duly converted his own try to leave the score at 17-21 at half time.

The opening period of the second half was dominated by the defences of both sides, and mainly played in midfield. Vernon was yellow carded after 13 minutes for dissent after an apparent punch was thrown by the home side, and returned to the pitch when the home side had a player binned for another punch, but missed the ensuing penalty.

The second half remained scoreless until the last five minutes, when William Ayre who had moved out to the wing found some room down the left to run in from 25m for a nice try.

A minute from the end, Vernon broke through the defence and made 40m before an overhead ball to scrum half Reece Walker made for the try to put the game safe. The conversion left Marist clear at 17-33.

Deep into injury time the home side scored a consolation try to make the final score 24-33.

Marist were well pleased with the win, as they have struggled to win in Pontefract for the last few years, and this was a much more positive performance than last week. The forwards occasionally rucked well, and the mauling was a little better, but needs to be more dynamic.

Marist look confidently to the home fixture with Stanley Rodillians.