Sandal Second team, 3rd in their league hosted 4th placed Pontefract in a very hard fought game played in appalling weather conditions and a mud soaked pitch.
Despite the weather Sandal gave an excellent display of rugby against a strong Pontefract team and beat the visitors 24 points to nil.

In the first half Sandal had most of the possession with their captain Michael Knowles playing second row with Jon Guy both leading by example making hard runs into the Ponte' forwards.
Sandal's first try came in the 10 minute with the forwards driving to the Ponte' 22 on the left wing. Despite the mud and rain, from a breakdown George Hulme scrum half gave great service to Tom Smith stand off who passed the ball down the line at pace, reaching Jamie Bingle hooker who made the final great pass to right wing Jacob Barlow who dived into the corner and converted his own try, 7 nil to Sandal.

The second try came 5 minutes later with the outstanding Sandal back row of Ben Brindley Will Kettel and Carter Stead making great breaks and winning every breakdown.The ball was 10 meters out from the Ponte' post, again good ball was won and Daz Tuttiett prop scooped the ball up side stepped of his right leg to avoid a tackle then spun around another defender and finally powered over the line for a great try. Barlow got the extras, 14 -0 to Sandal.

The last try of the half came from an excellent defensive Kick by center Michael Coopey following good Ponte' pressure in Sandal's half. The resulting line out on the halfway line was won by Stead and Guy, spun out by George Hulme to Tom Smith who passed the ball inside to Scott Seckham who had a brilliant power run evading tackles to score. 19 nil to Sandal.

The second half was all Sandal's with brave defence by Ponte'. Several scoring chances were denied to Sandal with cold hands and mud resulting in knock-ons. The last try came following a mid field penalty to Sandal on the Ponte' ten meter line. The ball was driven in well by Sandal's second row Ewan McAully reaching the Ponte' 22. The ball was spun out to the left again by Hulme down the backs to prop Richard Hoyland who gave a great pass to Jacob Barlow now playing full back, who dummied to his winger Suffy to score in the left corner. The final score was 24 nil to Sandal with Jacob Barlow getting two convertions.

The game was cut short by Referee Colin Tovey due to Ponte' and Sandal suffering from a catalogue of injuries which depleted their benches and reduced Ponte' to 12 players, at that point the captains and referee ended the game with 20 minutes to play. The score will stand for the league results.

Sandal's most serious injury was full back Joe Stott who had to go to hospital with a suspected broken bone in his ankle, we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Despite the conditions and injuries Sandal played very well against a very good Pontefract team. The man of the match went to Will' Kettel open side wing forward for Sandal who like all the players had an excellent game.
BK