WORK IN PROGRESS

Ponteland kicked off with the strong wind against newly promoted Consett. With a young looking side Consett started brightly and ran at the visitors with gusto. Strong tackling turned over the ball as Coulthard and Freer bullocked their way down the field. The visitors then set up camp in Consett’s half as Pont ran through the phases. With 15 minutes on the clock Ponteland’s dominant scrum won a penalty, converted by Dan Walton. 3-0. Pont immediately attacked again and a 15metre driving maul was pulled down just short. Further drives resulted in another Walton penalty 6-0. It was all Pont at this time and great offloads by Norris and Cannon saw Walton drop just wide with a penalty. With Ponteland dominating the scrums it was disappointing that Pont were penalised as Consett dithered on the engagement. 6-3.
The first of several strikes against the head saw Pont dominating and as Robinson stole a ball Searle was bundled into touch just short. Half Time 6-3

Despite huge territorial advantage Pont had a slim lead playing into the wind in the 2nd half. – was it to be enough?
Pont started as they left off as a backs move swept wide only for disaster to strike as Mundy’s pass to the winger was intercepted and the Consett winger ran 75 yards to score. The conversion made it 10-6 to the home team. Pont’s forwards again dominated the breakdown and a massive drive saw Walton reduce the arrears with a penalty 9-10. With 60 minutes on the clock the forward’s dominance told as McGookin claimed a try, following another drive. Will Newbigin made it 16-10. Freer was causing problems at the lineout and a Consett overthrow did miss Freer but it was caught by Mundy, the smallest forward on the pitch, who galloped 20 metres to score !
Consett continued to run hard, looking to create gaps but their next score came from a scrum. Pont again drove the home team backwards but the ref gave a penalty for pulling round. Consett took it quickly and scored out wide. 21-15
Pont duly replied by driving down field as Mundy went over, but the ref gave held up. Further Pont pressure saw Pete Maughan high tackled with a Walton penalty making it 24-15. Pont then drove down the field and saw them awarded a 5 metre scum. The forward shove saw Consett driven backwards and as they crossed their line they swung the scrum round – to be awarded with a 5 metre scrum !! Pont duly drove them back to get another scrum. The forward shove again saw Pont over the try line but the Consett 9 kicked the ball out of the scrum to relieve the pressure !!. Consett tried one last throw of the dice as the frantically ran at Pont. The defence held firm as Pont claimed their first win of the new League season.

Man of the match Chris Free

Dick of the day Phil Mundy for the intercepted pass (although several others also tried this trick!!)