New-look Pocklington RUFC set for Brodleians starter

Pocklington opened up the 2025-26 season with nine wins on the bounce and enter the 2026-27 campaign as one of the pundits’ league favourites, but Saturday will be something of a journey into the unknown as there have been a handful of retirements and recruits in the closed season.

And the RFU decision to delay the start of the campaign by a fortnight due to the drought seriously disrupted the pre-season preparations, with Pock turning out weakened sides against higher league opposition in Driffield and Middlesbrough and suffering two heavy defeats.

They will be hoping to put that behind them on Saturday when back-row Archie Wilcock, Pocklington's youngest captain for many years, should lead out a much more representative line-up against Brods.

Pocklington Panthers also face a big challenge for 2026-27 as they enter the league pyramid with a visit to Selby 2nds.

The RFU has brought 2nd XVs into the league system in Yorkshire for the first time this term, and the Panthers kick-off in Yorkshire Division 3 at Selby, where they were pipped in extra-time the merit table play-offs on the final day of last season.

FOOTBALL: Pocklington Town stayed top of York Football League Division 1 after hammering hosts Bishopthorpe White Rose 9-1.

The scorers were Carl Brewer (2), Cameron Cree, Jack Wright, Tom Scrowston, Matt Quigley, Chris Murray, Jason Barnes and an own goal as Town made it six wins out of six.

Town’s Reserve team surged to a 4-1 victory at home to Kirkby Reserves to maintain their own perfect record at the top of the York Reserve B Division.

Harry Scrowston netted a double for Town, with Tom Knowles and Jimmy Drewery also on target.

Town’s 3rd team lost 5-1 at Brid Town Rovers Pandas in East Riding County League Division 4, Jacob Allen netting the visitors’ consolation goal.