Pontefract Preview

By Dave Picken - March 4 2011
Pontefract Preview
Skipper
Skipper Jonny Boatman and Tom Dixon both return for the trip to Pontefract with Carl Miller starting in place of the unavailable Stephen Stockdale ... please note the kick off times are  now 3.00 .....

After the recent pressures Pontefract will still be a difficult place to visit - specially  if there are any signs of a hangover from the last two games.. The hosts put up a very creditable display in the Brinkburn game, but are nevertheless hovering above the relegation places and anxious for points.

It promises to be a much drier pitch with an excellent weather forecast, and even some Chelsea pensioners as guests of the host club. That should make for a more genteel atmosphere than we have been used to of late.

The backs will be unchanged with both Adam Larkin and Andrew Cheslin being passed fit. Both wingers received head injuries last week with Ches having to leave the field, after suffering an off the ball challenge as he defended his 22, and Larkin going down with a busted nose as he joined in the celebrations for the winning try.

Jon Norris will be on the bench following his return from Old Boys. Nogger will be needed in the next few weeks as overseas work commitments, exotic holidays for the likes of Liam Bailey plus  a toe operation for Jonny Boatman, enforce changes.

Fortunately, the strength in depth is there. Ben Lloyd, Carl Miller, Phil Henderson and club captain Andrew Dixon have all stepped up to the mark in recent weeks doing a great job against tough opposition on dreadful pitches.

Dixon will also be on the bench tomorrow alongside Darren Thomas. Dash's versatility in being able to play anywhere from 9 to 15 is  a massive bonus - even if it does seem to make him an automatic choice for a place on the bench.

Pontefract will almost certainly end the season out of the drop zone. Their season has been one of very narrow deafeats punctuated with the odd big loss at places such as Percy Park when they had a lot of absentees.

West 22 Pontefract 15

 

Pontefract: Michael Bateman, Simon Spears, Andy Dean, Nick Dykes, Shane Simpson, Glen Boyd, Matt Hargreaves, David Laverick [c], Andy Smith, Michael Pagett, Andy Fenton, Sam Brady, Carl Smith, Richard Scott, Mike Burnett, Reps: Matt Williams, Chris Plancant, James Fox.

West:  Colin  Cheslin, Adam Larkin, Luke Watson, Gavin Robinson, Andrew Cheslin, Gareth Foreman, Andrew Foreman,  Anth Carr,  Liam Bailey, Adam Coates, Tom Dixon, Andrew Davies, Dan Boatman, Jon boatman (capt),  Carl Miller. Reps:   Jon Norris, Andrew Dixon, Darren Thomas

 
Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 10:13


Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: oo la la (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 10:42

Where's stocker this weekend?

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Dave Picken (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 10:44

Unavailable i.e working

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: West Park Allotment (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 11:23

I think Stockdale deserves a rest as he's been outstanding this season.
What we don't want to do is let things slip otherwise the hard work of the last fortnight will have gone to waste. So good luck lads,

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Supercodhead (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 12:14

now you are pinching players from Old Boys>>>have you no shame??

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Captaincrash (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 16:15

Good luck and again thanks for all who are able to update the scores on here, greatly appreciated.

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: smurray (IP Logged)
Date: 04/03/2011 17:48

SCH at least players want to come to us, unlike your sinking ship.

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: nordfolla (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2011 21:28

Well one player sent off for stamping and another couple of niggles on the pitch as well as some rants from your supporters, You`re not the angels you claim from last weeks dedarcle.

After watching you today don`t think wheatley was all to blame from last week.

See you in the CAGE x

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: El Pedro (IP Logged)
Date: 05/03/2011 23:13

Have to disagree with that...there's no way this game could be compared in any way to last week - were you at both games?

The stamping incident (which i didn't see as I was on the far side) was the only time things boiled over - and even then not much happened. The ref dealt with it swiftly and then the players all got on with the game.
There was a bit of pushing and shoving after the trip at the end of the first half but you always get that in any game where there's a high/dangerous tackle and again there was swift action - two yellow cards - and move on.

Don't know about any rants - where I was stood I had some good chat with a few Ponte supporters and someone from the coaching setup and it was all good. Didn't get the sense from any of them that they thought it was a niggly game.

Can't speak for everyone on here but I don't remember claiming we were angles last week - far from it (see my post on the report thread) but aside from the two red cards (lets not forget there was one each side) which were an isolated incident, the game was physical but fair.

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: nordfolla (IP Logged)
Date: 06/03/2011 07:32

I thought that was a fair reply El Pedro.

Take my hat off to you

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Westy Till I Die (IP Logged)
Date: 07/03/2011 10:17

The only problem as far as I could see from the stand side was some numpty from Wheatley Hills who tried to get involved in something that had quite obviously got nothing to do with him

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: Dogtrack (IP Logged)
Date: 07/03/2011 14:33

A numpty from W Hills at Pontefract v West?

Re: Pontefract Preview
Posted by: travelling westie (IP Logged)
Date: 07/03/2011 14:37

Yes you couldnt make it uop could you? Its obvioulsly this nordfolla bloke. He should have gone to Percy Park ro suppoprt his team instead of trying to wind people up at Moor Lane.

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