POCKLINGTON RUFC moved three places up the North One East table to seventh after a bonus point 31-0 home victory over bottom club Horden.

Pocklington were expected to win against a side that has propped up the table all season. But this was a potential banana-skin game as Horden’s results have been steadily improving, including pushing the top two close in recent weeks.

However, fly-half Dan Elliot settled the home nerves with an early penalty goal and from then Pocklington’s positional kicking, allied to numerous turnovers, plus Horden conceding a spate of penalties at the breakdown, ensured the home side remained in control.

The hosts extended their lead when fullback Henry Mitchell kicked long for the corner, the ball bouncing back infield where wing Jack Fletcher won the chase. He fed centre Billy Hardy on his inside to race under the posts, Elliot converting.

Pocklington went 17-0 up on the half-hour after their pack drove to the line and hooker Ben Stephenson dived through the maul to score. Elliot again added the extras.

Horden had a big pack but Pocklington’s set piece held up well, with lock Archie Fothergill to the fore.

They added a third try early in the second half from a line-out catch and drive, prop Mat Webber getting the touchdown and Elliot converting from the touchline into the wind.

With the home back row making regular turnovers and Horden having two men sin-binned, Pocklington were always in the driving seat.

But the bonus point fourth try took time to come. However, it was worth waiting for as forwards and backs combined in a 60-yard attack down the left before the ball was swung right where Hardy cut inside to score. Elliot completed proceedings with his fourth conversion of the day.

sport@thepress.co.uk