Progress at Pontefract Club
Pontefract RUFC in the historic West Yorkshire market town are on the up both on and off the field. The first team has enjoyed two promotions in four seasons and are sitting just off the top of north east regional two. The second team are top of their merit table, while the club regularly put out a both a veterans and a development team. The club is also home to the Yorkshire Ambulance team.
A recent wonderful game of rugby versus Bridlington saw the team rescuing a 14-point deficit in the latter stages, to record victory with a penalty kick from the half way line with the last play of the game.
It was also Armed Forces Day and the Last Post, played by forces veteran Kev Fawcett, accompanied a silence impeccably observed by both players and crowd. The club gave free entry to the match for veterans, serving armed forces personnel and cadets.
Working with local schools
The club has worked closely with their local schools and has a growing youth section, every age group is now catered for with a stream of volunteer coaches including many former players. The Colts team in particular are playing some outstanding rugby in an unbeaten season so far. The club also have a girls’ squad, and the ambition is to grow an open age ladies’ team in the near future.
Support from businesses and volunteers
Said club chair, Stephen Hough: “There is a real buzz about the place at the moment and we are lucky to have the support of some great local businesses and some amazing volunteers. With this support we have been able to improve facilities, including erecting new training pitch floodlights to protect the first team pitch. We are determined to continue the improvement of our facilities.”
Operating at the heart of their community, next May club members are taking part in the Prince of Wales Hospice cyclothon, which will set off from the Moor Lane clubhouse.
