A fine day greeted our visitors from Wensleydale for the season opening double header between our two clubs.
At lunch time our fledgling women’s team took on a much more experienced Wensleydale side which plays at a higher level than that which we will be playing this season. Despite being under the cosh for most of the game the Pocklington women put on a resilient display for the full 80 minutes and are now well prepared for their inaugural league season which starts on September 17th at West Park Leeds.
Our thanks to the visitors who gave us something to aspire to with some high standard rugby played in a great spirit. We wish them well for their upcoming season.
Pocklington Player of the match nominated by Wensleydale: Rikki Kelly
The First XV took to the field in the afternoon for their first fixture in Northern Counties 1 Yorkshire (formerly Yorkshire 1) against newly promoted Wensleydale.
Pocklington dominated the territory during some early exchanges but were pinned back by resolute defending until the 10th minute when full back Christian Pollock slotted a penalty.
Whilst Pocklington continued to boss the first quarter they did not trouble the scoreboard until the 23rd minute when the visitors’ scrum was pushed backwards and from the ensuing attack their defence was stretched as the ball was sent wide for winger Jed Jackson to put Pollock in at the corner for a try.
Despite Pocklington’s dominance, Wensleydale kept their discipline and proved hard to break down until the 35th minute when outside half Louis Sangwin sent Joe Holbrough crashing through and from the ensuing phases Will Sayer touched down and Pollock converted.
As half time approached Pocklington lost Lewis Wilson to the sin bin but this did not thwart the attack and a third try was well taken by debutant centre Adam Ramsden, Pollock adding the extras leaving Pocklington with a 22-0 half time lead.
The second half did not start well for Pocklington who went down to 13 men early on as Sayer received a yellow card and Wensleydale grew in confidence scoring their first try. On 50 minutes Pollock steadied the ship for Pocklington with a penalty as the visitors’ scrum struggled to compete with the home side’s strength and drive.
Despite the scoreline, Wensleydale remained resolute and on 70 minutes were rewarded when a neat chip over the Pocklington defence was touched down for a second try.
As the game drew towards the close it seemed that a fourth try bonus point would elude Pocklington but from an attacking maul and with the visitors a man down in the sin bin, a slick pass from Sangwin sent skipper Joe Holbrough gliding through the Wensleydale defence for the all important bonus point try. Pollock added the conversion.
Final Score: Pocklington 32 Wensleydale 10
Pocklington Man of the match nominated by Wensleydale: Will Sayer
Pocklington T-Bone Steak tackle of the match, Sponsored by Laverack’s Butchers of Pocklington: Archie Willcock
