Mens Football

NEW College remain top of the British Colleges of Sport League 2B table and need only one more victory to take the title. Thanks to a commanding performance from Captain Hobey Lightowler, Pontefract lead the league by seven points, after a six nil victory over bottom of the table Calderdale College. NEW College traveled to Saville Park full of confidence after their Varsity win over Wakefield College before Christmas. Midfielder Jack Hart gave Pontefract the start they wanted with a good finish past a stranded Calderdale ‘keeper. This early goal put Pontefract one nil up, and the home side struggled to maintain spells of possession there after. Lightowler gave a battling performance in midfield and led the team by example. On the 30 minute mark, Pontefract defender Christian Trout played a pinpoint ball through to the feet of Hart, who calmly slotted the ball past Calderdales’ unfortunate ‘keeper for a second time in the half. The home side came in to the game towards the end of the first half, and NEW College keeper Jordan Myers kept some lively strikers at bay. A late goal from Pontefracts’ Captain Lightowler just before half-time, made the score 3-0 to the visitors at the break.

The second half saw Pontefract dominate possession, and create some excellent chances at goal. It took twenty five minutes for them to get their fourth goal of the game. Some slack defending from Calderdales’ back line, opened the door for Pontefracts’ Harry Turner to steal a tap in and put the away side four nil in the lead. Further goals from Pontefracts’ James Wooton and Christian Trout at the end of the half gave the visitors the victory that they carved, and the chance to take the league title against Calderdale this Wednesday at Pontefract in the return fixture.

Netball

NEW College were knocked out of The British Colleges of Sport Cup on Wednesday by a quality Wyke College side. Pontefract showed that they could compete against a side that consisted of a Super league Loughborough Lightening player, and a handful of players that have progressed into the National trials. Pontefract started the game well and kept the scores level after the first quarter, but Wykes’ Goal attack Danni Brettell dominated in the scoring front, and NEW College struggled to get the ball from the 6ft player. Pontefracts goal attack Becca Leigh gave a player of the match performance and showed her desire to play Brettell at her own game. Leigh scored 10 points in the first half and kept the away sides’ score board ticking over. With Wyke scoring 32 points going into the last quarter, NEW College battled hard and brought their score back to 22 points, only 10 points behind Wyke. Brettell showed her class in the last quarter though, and scored at each opportunity that she was given. Brettell was the difference between the two teams, and Pontefract will now concentrate on the league title. The score finished 41 points to 29 to the home side. NEW College are three points behind current league leaders Greenhead College, with five games remaining. The league programme for all teams recommences at the start of February.