Pocklington failed to take their numerous first half chances then lost shape and discipline after the interval to go down to a 13-19 defeat against Pontefract.

Though Pontefract opened the scoring with two penalties inside five minutes, Pocklington took control to bombard their opponents line.

They were unlucky when centre John Oxley had a touchdown disallowed as the referee was unsighted, and surprisingly saw Gary Pearce miss the target with three straight forward penalties.

Pocklington finally made the breakthrough when full back Julian Barkworth forced his way over on the blind side and then Pearce kicked a penalty. From there they looked likely to move out of sight but the cracks began to appear and Pontefract regained the lead with a try on the stroke of half time.

In the second period Pocklington struggled to find any momentum and gave away numerous penalties to allow Pontefract to remain in the driving seat. The visitors extended their lead with a third penalty and a long range try before Pocklington started to throw the ball about to try and save the game late on.

They pulled a try back when Pearce dived over in the corner after a 60 yard sprint by wing Sam Allen, but with only two minutes to go it was too little too late.