Sandal Cougars 30 - Pontefract 8
With just three games left in the Merit League, Cougars are entering the ‘business end’ of the season and were keen to avoid any slip up at home to near rivals Pontefract. With that in mind, Cougars set the pace from the first whistle scoring within five minutes after powerful rucking from a pack that is both dominant and aggressive in securing second, third and forth phase ball. The ever-improving Tom Hirst claimed the honours with Ben Brindley adding the extras.
Pontefract claimed their only try of the game after a misplaced clearance kick to midfield allowed the visiting winger to cross in the corner. Sandal responded in kind with good breaks by both Brindley and Rob Thorn allowing the latter to outpace the defence to make it 12-5 to the hosts. The rest of the half played out as a battle between the Cougars attacking forages and Pontefract’s defence with neither side relenting.
As the weather deteriorated, so did the game as a spectacle being interrupted far too often to allow any free flowing rugby. With both sides opting predominantly for route one rugby, on the couple of occasions Sandal did join passages of play together they managed to cross the whitewash. The first from the second half kick off as pacey Paul Turton collected his sides kick off and fed inside to the supporting pack who in turn created the opportunity for winger Mark Broadhead to cross in the corner. Full-back Scott Seckham who looked dangerous every time he got the ball claimed Sandal’s forth try of the game with Brindley slotting home the conversion. Two more penalties by Brindley and a Pontefract penalty completed the scoring.
Sandal Cougars remain top of the table, having played a game more than their title challengers, though look in confident mood with points in the bag with only two matches remaining. Next Saturday Cougars travel to Wheatley Hills with the desire and hunger for success in their quest for the title.
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