A bitter pill to swallow

Pont started with Pete Newbigin back at 9 and Adam Suppan on the wing. Following on from last week they began building patient phases, retaining the ball. Ponts scrum also got the upper hand as Kelly and Scandle had their props in trouble from the start. An early knock on got Rovers into home territory and it was the home defence that kept out several strong charges. With 10 minutes on the clock Pont drove Rovers back 10 metres in a scrum and then did the same at the next lineout. It was therefore disappointing that the opening score came from Rovers. A scrum to the visitors was shunted backwards and as it went around 120 degrees the back row picked up and created space out wide. Despite a monumental tackle by Adam Suppan Rovers retained the ball to touch down. 0-5.
Pont immediately went on the attack from the kick off and Will Newbigin skipped by several tackles and crisp offloads to Scott Anderson and Pete Newbigin put Joe Leiserach in for an unconverted try 5-5. Rovers again came back at the home team and several sapping drives saw them over for a try 5-12. The game was flowing in both directions as each side created several openings. Pont were next on the board as a slippy run by Moller brought the line in sight. A massive catch and drive from a lineout saw Stu Weir ground to make it 10-12.
Rovers were struggling in the scrum so resorted to feeding the ball into the second row with impunity and it was from one such scrum that the next score arrived as they drove several mauls over the line although Maughan felt he had held the player up 10-17. To add insult to injury at the next scrum Pont were penalised for foot up! Again Pont came back and only a dropped pass from an Anderson break prevented a score. Constant pressure told as Rovers got a yellow card and Will Newbigin made it 13-17 at half time
Pont started well as Suppan chased their kick down and as Pont moved thru the phases they were caught out as Rovers counter rucked. The ball came out and quick offloads saw the converted try 13-24. Pont continued to dominate scrums and line outs and a massive drive saw Rovers see yellow again. The ensuing scrum shunted the visitors backwards and Pete Newbigin nipped over for a try. Brother Will made it 20-24.Rovers weren’t done and another series of pick and drives saw Freer depart with a yellow and the penalty made it 20-27 with 18 minutes to go. The never say die spirit of late kicked in and a tremendous break put Moller clear and only a last ditch defensive tackle brought him down inches from the line. Pont swarmed forward and a pass out looked a certain score until a “lazy runner” appeared on the scene to interfere with the scorer. With no penalty or penalty try awarded the crowd were incensed, only to be made worse by Ponteland players being penalised for protesting!!! It is unfortunate that the outcome of such a hard fought game swung on such a decision. The last 10 minutes saw Jonny Murphy on after recovering from a knee op. Whilst he had no time with the ball in hand he made a scything tackle to let people know he is back. Pont spent the last 5 minutes of the game frantically defending to hold out for a bonus point