Ponteland started the game with new recruit John McConnell at centre as the first ten minutes saw Pont on the attack in the visitors half. With their first breakout Guisborough broke off from a scrum and several good offloads saw a try in the corner 0-5 Pont again pushed forward and on 25 minutes a line out 15 metres out was driven forward as Mark Kelly broke off to touchdown. 5-5. Pont we're bossing the breakdown as several promising attacks were thwarted by good defence. Michael Searle was creating opportunities and an excellent drop goal 20 metres out made it 8-5 at half time.
Pont continued to apply pressure in the second half as the visitors discipline began to waver. On 60 minutes a multi phased move saw the ball moved wide as Chris Searle scored in the corner 13-5. Guisborough had several strong runs but the home defence stood firm. A good forward drive saw good hands create a two man overlap but unfortunately jack storey dropped the ball 5 metres out with a score a certainty. With 15 minutes left the visitors drove hard up the field resulting in a game changing incident. Guisborough were penalised near to the touch line. Several of their players verbally abused the referee in clear earshot of the spectators. The ref called the visiting skipper to him. He refused. He again asked and again he refused. As the spectators were taking bets on which coloured card would be given the player sulkily approached the referee, to be given a ticking off! .
A tap and go saw a try out wide to bring the score to 13-10 A further attack 15 metres from Pont’s line saw Robinson attempt to intercept a pass which went forward and he got a yellow card. The visitors were now on a high and the extra man allowed them to press out wide and score two further tries 13-20.
With the clock running down Ponteland’s attack fell 20 metres short and a turn over saw Guisborough turn the ball over and score at the death 13-25