POCKLINGTON RUFC laid down a significant marker at the top of the North One East table with a comprehensive 36-0 away win at sixth-placed Percy Park.

After making the long journey to Tyneside, Pocklington arrived to find Percy Park’s main pitch frozen.

Fortunately, a reserve pitch, although hard, was just about playable.

It was Pocklington who posted the positive intent, blasting out of the blocks to almost score directly from the kick off.

They took the lead with less than two minutes gone.

Taking the game’s first scrum against the head, the half-backs probed the short side, and No 8 Jack Holbrough appeared outside his wing to crash over in the corner.

Hosts Percy Park threatened briefly with a line-out catch and drive, then missed a penalty – but they struggled against some determined Pocklington tackling and the visitors soon turned the tables.

They stole possession on halfway, backs and forwards combined with some slick offloads, and centre Joe Holbrough powered through to score from 30 yards.

Pocklington remained in the driving seat but were unable to extend their lead until the last play of the first half.

The forwards battered at the Percy Park line until scrum half Ben Rees pirouetted over, Jonty Peters converting to give Pocklington a 17-0 interval lead.

Within three minutes of the re-start for the second period, Pocklington had a fourth try and a bonus point in the bag.

A midfield switch from a scrum 20 yards out sent Joe Holbrough over for his second touchdown, Peters converting.

Percy Park spent plenty of time in Pocklington territory but, again, could find no way through.

They became increasingly bruised and battered with a trio of backs departing injured.

Pocklington also gave their bench an early run-out and made tactical switches.

It took time to adjust to this re-shuffle before a sweeping attack from their own half ended with lock Karl Durkin plunging over, Peters converting.

Pocklington coasted home and completed the scoring as their pack carried up the middle leaving the backs queuing up to score out wide – young wing Jed Jackson strolling over for his side’s sixth try.

The win, Pocklington’s eighth in their last nine games, takes them two points clear of second-placed West Hartlepool at the top.

However, third-placed Penrith have a re-arranged game in hand on Saturday that could see them pull level and Pocklington also have the toughest run in of all the top sides.