Rock find themselves in a hard place

Ponteland arrived at Rockliff to find the pitch in a heavy state, a howling gale, plummeting
temperatures and snow - ideal conditions for running rugby!
Pont played into the gale and received kick off. The ball was collected by Richie Moller
5 metres from the home line. He set off on a jinking run to the half way line. Pont players
then built up several phases driving forward, a feature of their play throughout the game.
A successful driving lineout gained ground as it was all the visitors in the first ten
minutes. A turn over relieved the pressure as Rock used the wind to gain territory. The
visitors defence was rock solid and after several attempts at gaining ground Pont's tackling
turned over the ball and excellent breaks by Chris Searle and Craig Robinson saw a series
of tremendous passes to put Dave Gregory in for a try. A superb touch line kick into
the gale by Jonny Murphy made it 7-0 after 17 minutes. Rockcliff came straight back from
the kick off and a lineout saw a home player over the line but he was held up to relieve
the pressure. Pont's backs were running excellent lines and a 5 metre scrum to the home
team saw the no 8 smashed by the Searle brothers and the loose ball was scooped up for
Robinson to score 12-0. The home team again used the wind to gain territory but the visiting
defence was impenetrable as both teams tried to warm up at half time.
Pont kicked off and rockcliff went through numerous phase of play and retained the ball
for five minutes but the visitors defending was so aggressive and all consuming that they
never got further than 30 metres from their own line. Eventually Michael Searle gained
a turn over and from the ensuing lineout Pont drove 15 metres for Robinson to touchdown
. The referee clearly missed the try in what was an otherwise excellent game with the
whistle. The home side continued to have the lions share of possession but such was the
ferocity of the defending they only managed to enter Ponteland's half three times- each
time from a kick off after a Ponteland score!
With 55 minutes on the clock Michael Searle crashed through a tackle and his shirt was
pulled over his head, covering the ball - a new slant on sticking it up your jumper! The
pressure produced a penalty in front of the sticks which Pont missed! Further excellent
work by the forwards saw Murphy put over a difficult penalty 15-0. The home team continued
to go through the phases and a rare break out saw a tackle on the 10 metre line. The ball
was dislodged and Chris Searle chipped the ball over an attacker, caught it and proceeded
to run 40 metres leaving four defenders in his wake. Murphy's touch line kick hit the
crossbar, upright and bounced out to make it 20-0 after 60 minutes.
The constant battering by Pont's defence took its toll as the home team tired and the
visitors found time and space to attack. Whilst several overlaps went begging due to cold
hands a crash through by Dan Marcus made it 25-0. Murphy converted to make it 27-0. Rock
managed to hang on for the last ten minutes as Pont continued to create openings.

The coach talked about this game being a team effort and every player did his bit in
what was an efficient, ruthless performance of skill and physical endeavour.
My statistician tells me that Rockcliff have averaged 34 points a game at home this season
so to 'nil' them was a massive statement of intent by Ponteland.
Chris Searle got Man of the Match from the home team but in truth it was a massive team performance from all concerned.
The usual welcome by Rockcliff extended to an open fire in the clubhouse which went some
way to warming the players up after the game.