Flying start sets up Pocklington RUFC’s 51-35 win at Cleckheaton
Pocklington RUFC went back to the West Riding to record a seven-try success at Cleckheaton, blowing the home side away in the first half and running out 51-35 victors.
Pock had prop George Grosvenor and back row George Bennett-Teare back to bolster the pack; but they were without a clutch of threequarters and fielded a makeshift backline with James Thompson filling in at fly-half and skipper Archie Wilcock as an emergency centre.
But despite the changes Pocklington flew out of the blocks to score at a point a minute in the first half hour. Kym Russell started things off as he straightaway crossed from a lineout, then Bennett-Teare was held up over the line but went over from close range soon after, Christian Pollock adding both conversions for a 14 point lead.
Cleckheaton hardly had a look in as Pocklington dominated possession and crossed twice more for their four-try bonus, Eddie Shirley plunging over from another catch and drive and Rob Boddy sprinting to the corner.
The one-way traffic continued as smart handling along the backs was finished in style by wing Reece Dixon, Pollock's fourth conversion making it 0-33 in as many minutes.
It got worse from Cleck with a man sin-binned, but they managed to pull a score back for 7-33 at the interval.
The hosts came more into it in the second period, crossing for four converted tries as play swung from end to end.
But Pocklington were always in control thanks to two more tries and a brace of Pollock penalties. Wilcock was freed near halfway to rampage over, and Boddy went in for his second touchdown after Cleck had coughed up possession.
Pollock added a conversion to his earlier penalty, then a further penalty from all of 40 yards took Pock past the half century mark.
Pocklington Panthers again showed they are worthy Yorkshire league opponents despite losing 35-19 away to Yorkshire 3 league leaders Morley.
Will Winter scored two Panthers tries and Freddy Peel one, with Sam Sellers adding conversions.
Pocklington Pilgrims also faced top of the table opposition, losing out 15 - 50 to Withernsea, their tries coming from Matt Childs, Tom Harrington, and Robin Page.
After trips to Morley and Cleckheaton in successive weeks, Pocklington host West Yorkshire opposition this Saturday when Bradford Salem are the visitors to Percy Road (3pm).
Salem sit one point and two places beneath sixth-placed Pock in the North 2 East table.
The Panthers head to West Park Leeds in Yorkshire 3, while the Pilgrims are scheduled to host Hull Ionians, also at 3pm.