Following the disappointment of defeats for all of our men’s teams on the opening day last week, Pocklington needed to bounce back with the First XV facing Wetherby at Percy Road and the Panthers travelling to Skipton, both opponents had convincing wins the previous week so another tough day was expected.

The Panthers came away from Skipton with a very creditable draw, 22 - 22, to get their Counties 3A Yorkshire account underway and show that they are ready to compete against First Teams from around the County. Try scorers for the Panthers were Reece Dixon, Billy Higgins and Sam Sellers who also landed a penalty and two conversions. This Saturday the Panthers host Burley at Percy Road.

At Percy Road Pocklington started brightly against Wetherby and went ahead on 8 minutes when clean line out ball put them on the front foot, culminating in a try for prop Alasdair Fagan. Harry Matthews added the extras. The visitors were soon on the attack though and were soon level scoring a try in the left hand corner which was converted. Midway through the half Pocklington took a tap penalty from 12 metres out and when James Thompson reversed the play, centre Louis Sangwin ran a great line to go in for a try and reestablish the lead, Matthews again converted.
The lead was extended further when a break down the left flank from Thompson released winger Flynn Sangwin who scored in the corner to make the score 19 - 7.
Five minutes from the break Pocklington were defending their own line well but a clearance kick was charged down and Wetherby won the foot race to the ball scoring a second converted try and taking the game into half time at 19 - 14.

Ten minutes into the second half Wetherby took the lead through a penalty try and Pocklington were reduced to 14 men when Thompson was yellow carded. Pocklington raised their game from hereon in and when hooker, and player of the match Will Husband, was adjudged to have been held up over the try line, they secured possession moved the ball quickly and prop George Grosvenor reach over the line for a bonus point try which Matthews converted.
With ten minutes to go Pock secured possession at the line out on the right and moved the ball quickly across the pitch, Matthews sold a great dummy and centre Dan Elliott running a signature line from deep took the delayed pass and was unstoppable from 30 metres out, Matthews again adding the extras.
With two minutes remaining, Husband stole the opposition line out ball and made a strong break for the line before slipping the ball to Kym Russell who put Grosvenor in for his second try. Matthews sealed things with the conversion, making the final score 40 - 21 to the Percy Roaders who now face successive away matches at Morley this Saturday and Cleckheaton the following week.
This Sunday our Women’s team host Old Crossleyans at Percy Road in NC 2 North (Central)