Out-of-sorts Pocklington RUFC cling on for Durham City victory (From York Press)

Out-of-sorts Pocklington RUFC cling on for Durham City victory

10:07am Monday 8th October 2012 in Sport

BELOW-PAR Pocklington RUFC managed to scrape a 21-18 victory at lowly Durham City in North One East.

Pock indiscipline gave Durham a second-minute penalty lead and the visitors then blew two golden overlap try opportunites when a player hung on with men spare outside.

Nick Bennett levelled the scores with an eighth-minute penalty, but Pocklington were getting turned over at the breakdown and missing tackles in the backs as they waved Durham through for an unconverted try.

A second Bennett penalty closed the gap to 8-6, but Pock let Durham in for a lineout catch and drive try early in the second half.

Replacement fly-half Henry Mitchell gave Pock shape and hope as centre Billy Hardy charged over.

Pock now had the initiative and they drove round the tail of a lineout before flanker Jack Holbrough powered through to score. They had claims for another touchdown overruled but threw the ball wide for wing Jake Bishop to go over in the corner.

Durham were allowed in for another close range try, but Pock held out for victory.

Malton & Norton saw yet another victory slip from their grasp as they lost 30-23 at Cleckheaton in North One East.

The Ryedale side led 23-22 with ten minutes remaining, but conceded a late try and a drop goal as the hosts snatched the points.

Cleckheaton grabbed the opening score with a converted interception try after a pass to wing Tom Newitt went astray.

However, Charlie Ramsay reduced the arrears with a penalty and Malt struck again from the restart as Ryan Lonsdale sent Newitt over and Ramsay converted.

Cleckheaton scored two tries and a penalty to lead 22-10 at the break.

After the break a Cleck player was sin-binned and Ramsay slotted home a penalty before Newitt got his second try. Five minutes later, Newitt chipped over the defence before touching down for a brilliant solo score. Malton should have gone on to seal the win, but cheap penalties allowed Cleck back into it.