Second string have no answer to hosts

With seven first-team regulars absent the visitors more than held their own for the first 40 minutes.

They fell behind early to a converted pushover try but hit back with two penalties by full-back Tristan Hibbert to trail by a point. The hosts added their second try to go 12-6 ahead but just before half-time a great break by centre Nick Dykes saw him feed flanker Richard Scott to score and bring Pontefract to within a point.

However, that was as good as it got as minutes after the restart a kick and chase for the home team resulted in a try. Northumbria picked up their fourth try on 49 minutes to extend their advantage.

In injury time, with Pontefract pressing to try and snatch at least a losing bonus point, an interception by the hosts’ winger saw him race the length of the field to dive under the posts.