The result was always going to be close and a draw would have been fair, but although Ponte led 6-0 they were eventually edged out.
Atrocious weather did not make for the ideal playing environment, but the forward battle was challenging and the hosts made the better start.
They had Dave Thorpe at scrum-half, Rich Taylor at prop, Ollie Wright at number six, Rich Scott at seven with John Fradgley, Jonathan Wylie and Greg Banfield on the bench.
Sandal fly-half Greg Wood put an early penalty wide before the home side pack made an impression, the return of Taylor making a key difference with Andy Smith and Matt Williams making some robust drives.
Pontefract went ahead when fly-half Andy Dean moved the ball on to Glen Boyd, who made a half-break. The visitors killed the ball and Dean slotted the resulting penalty.
At the set piece locks Sam Brady and Carl Smith maintained the possession and another penalty followed after Paul Nowak and Mike Bateman made a raid into the visitors' 22. Dean stepped up to kick his second goal and it was 6-0 at half-time.
Threatened
Playing downhill in the second half, Sandal changed tactics and kicked into the home 22. Pontefract replied, but were threatened when the kicks failed to find touch.
Wood levelled the game with a couple of successful penalties then nudged the visitors in front only for Ponte to reply when Matt Williams made good ground from the back of the scrum and Sam Brady and Carl Smith drove on. Sandal were penalised and Dean kicked the goal to tie the scores.
A draw looked to be the outcome, but frustration from Pontefract resulted in a penalty, which was kicked by Wood to put Sandal 12-9 in front.
The hosts rallied and got into the visitors' half. A catch at the line-out from Carl Smith set up a drive, but Sandal managed to topple it and held out. Pontefract went back again, but a good clearance kick took the sting out of the attack and shut the game down for the visitors.
Pontefract showed great determination and defended well with locks Smith and Brady having their best games of the season, along with Taylor. Other stand-outs were Williams, Smith, Nowak and Boyd.
Despite the narrow defeat Pontefract must take the positives from this game and build on them to take the club into a good league position for the Christmas break.