Like a snail out of the blocks

Pont kicked off with the wind and it was Bishop who were first into their stride picking and driving well. Pont soaked it up and in their first attack a penalty for not rolling away allowed Mullins to make it 3-0 after 5 minutes.Bishop again drove forward and the ref blew again, a constant sound all afternoon. The home team slotted to make it 3-3. Ponts defence was being tested as Harrison, Moller and Robinson made big tackles. On 25 minutes Harrison made a brave charge down in front of the posts. Whilst he didn't score Mullins kicked the penalty 6-3. Bishop were not to be stopped as they again made ground. From a wheeling scrum on the 22 they made several good offloads. As the player went for the line a monster tackle by Moller appeared to knock the ball from his grasp. When the ref finally arrived at the scene he awarded the try. A conversion from wide out made it 6-10 at half time.
With Bennett replacing McGawley Pont had what can only be described as a car crash in the 8 minutes after half time ! From the kick off Pont were awarded a penalty on their 22. Taking it quickly they moved the ball wide with a two man overlap. Unfortunately Bennett dropped the pass and Bishop swept it up to score a converted try 6-17. From the kick off a clear knock on was ignored as Bishop moved the ball between several pairs of hand as no fewer than 5 tackles were missed to make it 6-24 after 3 minutes. 4 minutes later Bishops captain, formerly 'the claw' from Barnard Castle again tangled with Kelly with both receiving yellows. The penalty made it 6-27 after 8 minutes. To their credit Pont picked up a gear( but only in 2nd!) and started to move the ball around. On 25 minutes Robinson legally went thro a maul but was shown a yellow. The penalty made it 6-30. Pont at last showed some urgency and from a 20 metre line out drove the home pack over the line with Harrison claiming the score. Mullins hit the upright from out far leaving it at 11-30. Pont continually pushed forward and Bishop resorted to illegal play to stop Pont advancing, leading to 8 consecutive penalties to the visitors. With 5 minutes to go the referee seemed to realise he still had his cards and flourished two in succession. The 2nd one ended in farce as the crowd gently reminded him that it was 'the claw' so the ref brought him back onto the pitch in order to show him a red card!
Overall Pont got everything they deserved from the game- nothing, as several old heads pointed out that was probably our most lacklustre performance in two years.