Pocklington 29 - 0 Bridlington
The Panthers
were convincing winners at home to Bridlington to maintain their unbeaten start
to the season.
The opening exchanges became a midfield battle, but the Panthers'
pack gradually gained the upper hand and the breakthrough finally came on the
quarter hour when wing Ralph Cauldwell cut inside to touchdown. The Panthers continued
to play some high speed rugby and came close on a number of occasions before the
backs kicked and chased and back row Tim Johnson was in support to score, Ed Rook
converting. Bridlington visibly wilted, but a series of penalty awards kept them
in the game until centre Rook broke through in midfield to cross and convert himself
for 19-0 at the break.
The Panthers continued to concede penalties, and were
further disrupted by three yellow cards. One of them went to back row, Andy Holloway,
who has waited two years to recover from injury and make his debut in the senior
teams. He came on as replacement only to be cruelly sin-binned at a ruck with
his first touch of the ball, but when he eventually returned he made a big impact
from the base of the scrum, scoring one try, having another disallowed and being
awarded man of the match.
It was a good all round display, with other leading
performance from Rook, fullback Tim Drew, and forwards Ed Rowbottom and Dave Wright.
And the Panthers coasted home in the closing stages, adding a fifth try when they
spread play wide for wing Danny Stacey to race in.