POCKLINGTON drew 22-22 at Birkenhead Park in a battle of two previously pointless promoted sides.

The visitors dominated the first half and led 22-3 at the interval. Skipper and scrum half Ben Rees, making his first appearance after shaking off a troublesome hamstring, made an immediate impact as he went over in the corner to give his side the lead.

Strong tackling in midfield then forced a turnover and centre Ben Thoy burst clear from halfway to go under the posts, with Matt Procter converting.

Pocklington went further ahead as prop Chris Morton muscled over, with fly half Procter again converting.

Birkenhead pulled a penalty back but a Procter penalty with the last kick of the first half saw Pocklington well placed at the break.

However, the hosts took over in the second period. Little went right for Pocklington as they were hit by a couple of bad bounces and a few injuries, and Birkenhead stepped up with three tries of their own and drew level with ten minutes to go.

Both sides had chances to win it in the closing stages but had to settle for a share of the spoils.