Pocklington 16 - 12 Barnsley
Pocklington's
league encounter with Barnsley proved to be a closer affair than the two side's
cup clash just seven days earlier, but a try just five minutes from the end finally
gave them a valuable victory which moves them three places up the Yorkshire Two
table to fifth.
Pocklington had the benefit of a perfect start, and had the
opportunities to have put the game to bed by half time. They pressurized Barnsley
from the kick off before taking the lead in the fourth minute. Phosyn Yara sponsored
Pocklington went for a lineout catch an drive, and when both packs got sucked
into a wrestling match a couple of yards out, home prop, George Fell, suddenly
popped out on his own to plunge in for the score.
Barnsley showed their threat
down the flanks with an early raid on the right, before Pocklington took a scrum
against the head to resume the offensive, only to lose the ball with the line
begging after another pack drive.
But Pocklington's momentum was disrupted
at the end of the first quarter when they lost wing Tim Bolton, permanently, with
a serious knee injury, and scrum half, Phil Priestley, temporarily, with a cut
head. Barnsley caused problems all afternoon with their kick and chase tactics,
and during their best spell two chips ahead found favourable bounces for the visitors
to go in front with a converted try.
Henry Mitchell regained the lead with
a straightforward penalty on the half hour, before Barnsley broke through the
middle and replacement Paul Rhodes and skipper Sandy Mitchell had to track back
to save the day. Pocklington then spurned a couple of kickable penalties to go
for position, Barnsley's forwards held firm on their own line, and the visitors
turned the tables with two more kicks ahead down the right which resulted in a
try with the last play of the half to lead 12-8.
Pocklington made plenty of
breaks in the error-strewn second period, but several openings were wasted as
the support was lacking or the last pass went to ground. Barnsley also made life
difficult with their renewed aggression up front, though it also saw them a man
light for much of the half due to three yellow cards.
Play went from end to
end as good approach play from both sides ended frustratingly with them giving
away possession through mistakes. Centres Sandy Mitchell and Guy Wilson both broke
through in midfield, while wing Rob Jackson made 40 yards down the right and Rhodes
ran himself to a standstill to get up in support. But every time the momentum
petered out and Barnsley were able to take play back to the other end as they
continued to up the tempo.
The game remained in the balance until Pocklington
finally found their missing composure and control when it mattered most to land
the killer blow.
Henry Mitchell's quick tap turned defence into attack, and
a strong drive from a lineout saw Barnsley penalised for collapsing the maul and
receive their third sin-binning. Pocklington kicked it to the corner and another
catch and drive rumbled up to the visiting line where lock Stewart Rowley stretched
out for the vital score.
Typically, there was still time for home flanker,
Andy Hollway, to make a remarkable burst from the restart, and then for Barnsley
to cause a last anxious moment with another kick and chase, before the final whistle
brought Pocklington a mix of relief and jubilation.