It is true that one swallow does not make a summer, or a season, but newly promoted Pocklington got off to a flying start in this season opener in Regional 2 North East. Going in to the match as underdogs and with a few of last season’s promotion side unavailable, the strength in depth of the squad came through to deliver a bonus point win 5-41.
After some early pressure from the home side Pocklington gained possession inside their own twenty two and Archie Wilcock made a thirty metre break into opposition territory, a scrum was awarded inside the Moortown twenty two and after a pick and go Wilcock went over to open Pocklington’s account, Christian Pollock added the conversion.
On 14 minutes Pocklington were penalised and from the ensuing penalty, Moortown won the lineout deep on the left, moved the ball wide and went in for a try on the right. This proved to be the only occasion the resolute Pocklington defence was breached on the day.
On 22 minutes Pocklington were dominating possession and Pollock put a penalty deep into opposition territory, from the lineout there was an assault on the try line and after 5 disciplined phases of play, skipper Andy Argo Bennett ran in for Pocklington’s second try of the afternoon. Pollock added the extras and shortly afterwards slotted a penalty from distance for good measure.
On thirty five minutes Mattie Downes made a one of his signature breaks and the ball was spun wide to Reece Dixon who managed to offload to Harry Matthews who made a great supporting run and put Pollock in for a try which he converted.
In added time at the end of the first half, Pollock landed another long distance penalty making the score 5 -27 at the interval.
Pocklington came out of the traps at the restart with James Thompson entering the fray and starting a move which saw the ball move quickly through the hands from right to left, skipper Argo-Bennett latched on to the final pass and went in for the bonus point try and his second of the afternoon, Pollock converted.
In the final quarter Pocklington had a five metre scrum and Downes managed to control the ball with his feet at the base before picking up and going over for Pocklington’s 5th and final try, again Pollock converted.
Final score Moortown 5 Pocklington 41.
The Panthers had a great win at Percy Road, also defeating Moortown by 31-24
Next week Pocklington face a stern test at home to Morley, kick off 3pm.