Pontefract Pythons v Burley

Pontefract snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to maintain their unbeaten record in Yorkshire Division Six. A try in the very last minute of the game sealed two points to the relief of both players and fans.

Pythons remain undefeated this season without ever really hitting top form. A spirited Burley side gave them a severe test and with the aid of a heavy penalty count in their favour almost clung on to victory.

Both sides preferred an expansive form of rugby but the home forwards under the guidance of man of the match, Steve Hill, had the edge, which proved to be decisive. Wing forwards Tom Bateman and Steve Chamberlain pushed him close with tough tackling displays, whilst Steve Smythson and Mark Cook cleaned up in the loose.

Both sides exchanged penalties before slightly against the run of play the visitors scored a converted try. This spurred the pythons into greater endeavours who threw wave after wave of attack at Burley with both Andy Eastell and Graham Walker going close.

The home side responded just before half time with a well rehearsed tap penalty move from twenty yards out. Mark Armstrong drove the ball in and produced second phase ball with Colin Swift charging down the blind side, drawing the defence before handing onto Mick Cossins whose dive to the corner beat the cover.

After the break pythons piled on the pressure adding a penalty from Neil Williams to take an 11-10 lead however despite the pressure they could not extend their lead and when the visitors also added a penalty defeat looked a possibility. Pontefract however dug deep and threw on the guile of Richard Hardisty and the power of Brandon Stockport and Jimmy Cain to revitalise proceedings.

They threw everything bar the kitchen sink at the visitors with Kev Day ending a powerful run just short. A mixture of last ditch defence and an overzealous referee looked to have foiled the Pythons until the last play of the game, when Paul Banfield an impressive stand in at scrum half fed Andy Walker who glided past the defence and put John Swift in for a dash to the corner.

A tricky conversion was missed but the whistle sounded to send the Pythons and their supporters into raptures.