Pocklington RUFC lost their opening North East league game 16-15 in agonising fashion away to Halifax club, Heath.
With 14 minutes to go prop Euan Walker crashed over in the corner for Pocklington's second try and fullback Christian Pollock converted from wide out to give them a six point lead. Five minutes later Heath rumbled over from a scrum to close within a point with the conversion to come. The Heath kicker was well wide and Pocklington breathed again, but they were adjudged to have charged early and the referee ordered the kick to be retaken. This time it went over and Heath successfully closed out the game to take the spoils.
Earlier Heath's much bigger pack dominated the first half hour and won them two penalties for a six point lead. Pocklington had seen little of the ball, but in the closing minutes of the first half they started playing high tempo rugby to spin possession from side to side and create a try in the corner for wing Joe Aconley for 6-5 at the interval. Pocklington started the second period as they had finished the first with centre Tom Richardson and new forward Pati Oneli prominent in attack.
As play went from end to end, Pollock and the home kicker swapped penalties before the drama of the last quarter. Pocklington almost snatched it back at the death as replacement wing Michael Gilbank broke away and went for the corner, only to be thwarted two yards out by a last ditch tackle, leaving Pocklington having to settle for a losing bonus point on the road.
pic: Tom Richardson attacks for Pocklington
