Pocklington convincing winners

They got off to a flying start with a good, early attack ending with Gary Pearce kicking a third minute penalty.

Pocklington then made a mess of fielding the re-start, but Ripon missed a straightforward penalty and Pocklington took full advantage to score an excellent 70 yard try.

Ben Connolly kicked and ran down the right flank before the ball was swung left for opposite wing Sam Allen to put full back Mark Taylor over, Pearce converting from wide out.

Pocklington remained on the offensive and when Ripon conceded a series of penalties for high tackles and killing the ball, Pearce was on target from 35 and 40 yards to stretch the lead.

Ripon's best spell came towards the end of the first half, but they missed another easy penalty then dropped the ball over the line with the last attack before the interval to leave Pocklington in the driving seat at 16-0.

Pocklington went further ahead when Pearce kicked his third penalty early in the second half, then a strong charge up the middle saw the ball come back right for centre Kevin Bowling to side step over midway out.

Ripon occasionally threatened on the breakaway and they finally opened their account midway through the second period when a spell of pressure saw scrum half Jim Metcalfe find a gap from a tap penalty to touch down, wing Jason Bell converting.

But Pocklington had the last word and laid siege to the visitors line in the closing minutes, with replacement hooker Tim Bradshaw plunging over to complete the scoring with his first touch of the ball.

* Cambridge University Women made a spirited comeback to end their Pocklington tour on a high note.

They struggled on Saturday in going down 51-12 to Leeds Metropolitan University, with two Cambridge girls being taken to York District Hospital in the first half with broken ankles.

It again looked black when they trailed Malton Ladies at half-time yesterday, but they rallied in style to pull off a 17-15 victory.