On Saturday Wath upon Dearne RUFC returned to winning ways following a disappointing last few weeks either side of Christmas as they overcame Pontefract 45-10 at Moor Road.
Wath started the game well and for the most part were able to maintain a high tempo throughout, a well weighted chip through from full back Andy Appleyard began the first Wath attacked, a strong chase from Appleyard and No 8 Arran Tasker pressured the visitors full back on his own try line thus resulting in a turn over.
Pontefract held out before a quick tap penalty from scrum half Ian Barker and a well-timed pass from lock Richard Hill saw Tasker slide over in the corner to take an early lead.
Shortly afterwards the visitors were off the mark with a penalty in front of the uprights 5-3. Prop Huw Jones continued his fine run of form leading the way with carries and metres made in the pack.
The second try for the Dearnesmen was a trademark try for Simon Lines, a five metre line out proving too powerful to stop and the skipper crashed over.
The next period saw Pontefracct dominate the possession and territory stats as they continually looked for a gap in the Wath defensive line but none was forthcoming and Wath held out to the half time whistle 12-3.
Whatever was said at half time must have worked as Lines men came out firing, quick ball saw a half break from Tasker before he found wing Steve Mason outwide, the powerhouse winger still had plenty of work to do but he powered through two attempted tackles and stretched out to score.
The great start continued, from a scrum just outside the 22 Tasker made good ground before popping the ball to Barker, the young scrum half pinned his ears back and raced away to score and seal the four try bonus point on 45 minutes
In a mirror image of his first try Lines was over for his second on 50 minutes, another destructive maul could not be stopped from close range. The visitors got their only score of the second half followed a sustained period of pressure they powered their way over from a scrummage 33-10.
The next try came from some superb defencive work, Ponte looked to run the ball from their 22 and the powerful winger made a break for it, however centre Tom Swann produced a bone crunching tackle and the ball was spilled. Wing Tom Quinn was the most alert and produced some superb soccer skills to send the ball to the corner and beat his opposite man in the foot race to dot the ball down.
The final try of the match came with time ran out, Head Coach Richard Hill crashed over in the corner following a series of strong forward runs, final score 45-10.
A great result, but much more importantly a greatly improved performance from the whole team, particular highlights was the back row, with an average age of just 23, a strong performance overall from the pack and it was great to see some superb attacking rugby from the backline. Next week is a huge test away at York.