Nestl Rowntree were edged out by a slender 26-25 margin at home to Pocklington Merovingians.

The hosts led 17-8 at half-time with good backplay bringing tries for winger John Shinn and centres Harry Seagrave and John Atkin, who added a conversion. Pock replied with a Richard Byster try and a penalty from Mark Taylor.

It was Taylor's positional kicking that held sway, Byster adding a second try to one each for Rich Noble and Taylor. Mike Davies added a penalty before Trees' Jim Baldwin crossed only for Atkin to miss the conversion.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, October 18, 2004