Ripon 8 - 11 Pocklington
Pocklington returned to winning ways at Ripon thanks to a big performance from their forwards, though they almost let the home side off the hook before a late penalty sealed a deserved victory.
Ripon have been Pocklington's bogey side for more than a decade, and this was also the first time that Ripon have been beaten at home this season. Nevertheless, a Pocklington win was almost inevitable - in previous meetings between the two in recent years Pocklington have been at the top end of the table and Ripon in the bottom two, but Ripon have invariably come away with a shock result. This time the two sides went into the game with Ripon one place above Pock in the Yorkshire Two table, so a change in fortunes and result was always on the cards.
Phosyn Yara sponsored Pocklington saw their forwards lay down the gauntlet from the off with some impressive set piece work. Flanker Scott Littlefair and centre Guy Wilson led a couple of strong early charges up the middle, and after a series of pick and drive attacks they took the lead through a straight Nick Bennett penalty after 17 minutes.
Lively lock Ed Bean continued to make the hard yards, and though Bennett was wide with another penalty attempt Pocklington then scored a remarkable forwards try. Ripon's programme notes declared that they were expecting Pocklington's catch and drive tactics from lineouts and had been working in midweek on how to counter them. But when Pocklington won a lineout near halfway on the half hour Ripon's forwards were tossed aside as the Pock pack set off on an unstoppable 45 meter pack drive that ended with Littlefair getting the touchdown.
Pocklington had more chances to pull clear but dropped passes spoilt a couple of promising positions inside the home 22. Ripon had hardly seen the ball in the first half, but they had a couple of penalty misses just before the interval and came more into contention in the second period, including coming close with a blind side kick and chase.
However, Pocklington remained in the driving seat, and after a sniping run from wing Rob Jackson, hooker Dave Birch and scrum half Ben Rees were both stopped a yard out. Pocklington turned the screw with more pack pressure and Littlefair again forced his way over only for him to be held up by desperate defence.
Pocklington went into the last quarter of an hour still on the attack and leading by eight points. But they were then rocked as a Ripon breakaway took play to the other end and kick to the left corner saw the home side scramble over for a try. And when Ripon broke again from the kick off for another attack which brought them an equalizing penalty, the game was suddenly back in the melting pot.
But Pocklington were not to be
denied a deserved win as they regained both their composure and the territorial
advantage. With five minutes to go Ripon infringed 40 yards out and Bennett sent
the penalty sailing over to regain the lead. And Pocklington then made sure as
they went straight back onto the offensive as they ended the game again pounding
at the home line.