POCKLINGTON RUFC went down to a 14-5 North East One defeat at West Hartlepool in a game they could so easily have won but for two massive calls.

Pocklington had the wind in the first half but never really looked like turning position into points and reached the interval deadlocked at 0-0.

West Hartlepool scored a good converted try early in the second half. But Pocklington got an indication it was not going to be their day when Hartlepool’s next attack saw the home hooker clearly drop a pass in front of the posts but the referee was unsighted and allowed Hartlepool to follow up and score for 14-0.

Hartlepool then ran out of steam and Pocklington dominated the last quarter, putting together a series of incisive raids.

Centre Pete Massie’s elusive break saw fullback Jack Fletcher support and sprint over to reduce the deficit.

Straightaway Billy Hardy charged through the middle and though he was tackled just short he stretched out to touchdown - only for his effort to be disallowed when he was adjudged to have played the ball after the tackle.

There was no such danger of a Malton & Norton RUFC defeat as they posted nine tries against dismal visitors Wath-on-Dearne to clinch a Yorkshire One promotion play-off place at the end of the season.

The Malt pack always had too much pace and once they levelled an opening Wath penalty when Ian Cooke replied in kind, there was no way back as the hosts extended a 36-3 half-time advantage into an emphatic 64-18 conquest.

South African duo Siyabonga Moabi and Sizwe Zondo shared five tries with the former notching a hat-trick, while others followed from Rob Armitage, Jamie Rounthwaite, Callum Stark and Cooke, who also kicked six conversions.

Elsewhere in Yorkshire’s top tier, both York and Selby suffered defeats.

York crashed 51-14 at leaders Doncaster Phoenix, who have put all opposition to the sword in a relentless tenure at the summit.

Selby’s 30-10 reverse at Middlesbrough was down to an error-strewn performance at Acklam Park - their heaviest defeat of the season.

Despite playing with a strong breeze at their backs in the first half, Selby trailed 13-10 at half-time and were never in the hunt after the interval.

Their lone try-scorer was prop Robert Bourke with Cruise converting and also kicking a penalty.

York RI impressed in Yorkshire Four where they beat Leeds Corinthians 31-8 largely due to a superb first-half show in which they scored all their points.

Andy Bentnall and Tom Greaves bagged two tries apiece with Danny Spencer also crossing. Baptiste Brui kicked two conversions.