PONTEFRACT will provide Damon Scholes’ side with the next examination of their promotion credentials when YMCA welcome the Carleton club to Laund Hill tomorrow (2.15).
YMCA won the first meeting of the two sides this season at Pontefract (33-21) in September, when Tom Sharrock was one of five try-scorers, and the burly flanker returns to the bench tomorrow after his latest injury setback.
Sharrock, who missed almost two seasons after a serious knee problem, came off with a knock to the ankle in the home defeat against Driffield in November, but is now back to fitness and itching to get back into first-team action.
The only other change to the 18 on duty in last week’s 36-15 win at Old Brodleians is in the front row, where Josh Wrafter makes a timely return at hooker.
The big No2 had missed the last couple of matches due to working away, but his return comes as a huge bonus for Scholes’ men as Will Sellars, who took on the hooking duties at Brods, suffered a blow to the neck, and would have been unfit to play against Pontefract anyway.
“It’s great to have Josh back, especially after Will’s injury, for what I’m sure will be another hard game against an uncompromising Pontefract outfit,” said coach Jody Shaw.
“I’m also delighted with the look of the bench, where with Fab (Leone-Mazza), Darren Neilly and now Sham (Tom Sharrock) we have a wealth of experience to complement the starting 15.”
YMCA: Johnson; Stead, Ryder, Barber, Bentley; Clayton, Wilson; Ste Dyke, Hill, Wrafter, Bell, Robertson, Lumb, Hodge, Whitehead. Subs: Leone-Mazza, Neilly, Sharrock.
