Pocklington RUFC see off Consett to set up final play-off clash at York
A dominant scrum plus some strong tackles and opportunist tries gave Pocklington a third successive play-off success, beating Durham visitors Consett 29-25.
Pock now go to York on Saturday for a final promotion shoot-out.
Consett opened the scoring with a penalty before Pocklington laid down early markers; flankers Archie Wilcock and Kelby McClaren putting in big hits and Pock's pack mangling the visitors at the first scrummage.
That became a profitable home platform, winning a penalty at the next scrum and Christian Pollock catching Consett napping with a quick tap to race 40 yards down the touchline to score and convert. Another driven scrum saw No 9 James Thompson slice through to the posts.
Pollock converting, then Pock needed strong defence to keep Consett out before Pollock added a penalty with the last kick to close the first half in control at 17-3.
But it was a different story on the restart as Consett's lineout advantage alongside Pocklington's persistent penalty concessions plus periodic injury stoppages and yellow cards let Consett back into contention.
Consett crossed from close range at the beginning of the half; but Pocklington's swift response from a turnover on halfway saw Flynn Sangwin swerve and shimmy down the wing for 22-8.
Pocklington had to go back to manning the barricades to keep Consett at bay; the visitors finally scoring wide left and convert for a one score game at 22-15.
Back on their own line Pock made 70 yards from a touchline clearance, and when Consett went to box kick away Sam Garvey charged down and Harry Matthews gleefully accepted to touchdown. Pollock's conversion looked to have made the game safe as Pock entered the closing stages leading 29-15.
A final twist saw Consett crossing from a quickly taken lineout seven minutes into stoppage time, then run through straight from the kick-off to score again.
But it was the day's last play for the game to finish 29-25 and send Pock to a last day in the sun at Clifton Park on Saturday (3pm).
FOOTBALL: Tom Scrowston and sub Luke Goodrick scored as Pocklington Town completed their season with a 2-1 midweek home win against Wheldrake in the York League first division.