Withernsea v Pontefract Pythons

A late rally by the home side and an overwhelming penalty count made the score uncomfortably close in a match Pontefract dominated but never quite totally controlled.

Lead by captain Steve Smythson the forwards hassled and harried their larger opponents with Mick Cossins and Paul Banfield strong in the tackle and John Swift and Mark Cook ball winners in the loose. Withernsea opened the scoring with a penalty before good ball retention and handling from the pythons put Neil Williams over to register their first league score.

The try of the match came shortly afterwards with a move which started in the Pythons own half, a series of block bursting runs and superb recycling saw excellent interpassing between Duncan Saul, Andy Walker and Graham Walker put Andrew Eastell over. Pythons unfortunately failed with the conversion in blustery conditions.

Before the break Andy Eastell and Kev Day both went close only to succumb to scrambling defence .the sides turned round at 6-10 the home side having added a further penalty.

Pythons seemed to secure the match immediately after the break when after a tap penalty prop Mark Armstrong drove over taking a number of defenders with him .However sensing defeat and aided by the penalty count Withernsea responded with a sustained period of pressure.

The visitors defence was its usual resilient self with Simon Bickerdike and substitutes Steve Hopwood and Brandon Stockport leading the way. With 10 minutes remaining the home side scored in the corner and added an excellent conversion to fray Python nerves .Steadied by the introduction of the experienced Steve Hill they held on for a famous victory.

Man of the match went to prop Colin Swift for dominating the scrum and battering the opponents to submission.

Pythons now prepare for the visit of Burley having already exceeded many expectations.