MALTON and Norton endured a torrid start to the North One East campaign as they were turned over by Pocklington in the pouring rain.

The heavens opened on Saturday morning and the rain fell nearly all day at Percy Road.

Pocklington took the field looking much the bigger side in both the backs and forwards. This advantage in size, especially in the three-quarters, was to be the telling difference.

The first score came after three minutes when Malton were penalised for holding on to a tackled player and Nathan Saltmer's kick sailed between the posts for Pocklington.

Two minutes later, Saltmer almost added to the tally with a 'try' in the corner - however a forward pass had been spotted and his score was disallowed.

The Malton pack, although much lighter, was still a match for their counterparts.

Pocklington scored the first try of the game when scrum half Ben Rees plunged over the line.

It was then Malton's turn to apply the pressure and again it was the forwards who made good ground with a series of pick and drives.

Rees was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for being on the wrong side of a ruck and Malton elected for a scrum rather than a penalty.

They applied the pressure and moved the heavier home pack backwards for several metres before Ali Coe picked up and dived over for a try. Fly half Ian Cooke converted to cut the deficit to a point.

Pocklington were now doing most of the attacking but the Malton defence held firm until Pocklington's pack got to work and recycled the ball several times to suck in the visitors' defence.

A missed tackle was all that was needed for Dave Birch to cross in the corner for Pocklington's second try after 26 minutes. The conversion was unsuccessful and the score at half time was 15-7 in Pocklington's favour.

The second half saw no change in the weather as the heavy rain continued. Once again the home side had most of the territorial advantage.

A combination of their more aggressive, but totally fair, back play and Malton's failure to tackle low allowed Pocklington to gain ground far too easily as they swatted off Malton's lightweight defenders.

With six minutes of the half gone, they won a line out ten metres out and after the first drive released the ball to Joe Holbrough in midfield who powered over for a try.

The Malton pack were competing well but again the home backs held sway. However, Malton held out until the 25th minute when the physicality of the home backs again produced the goods.

Malton's South African debutant, Xolela Payi, tried hard to break the shackles with his runs and kicks from fullback, but Pocklington kept returning with interest and pulled clear when Joe Holbrough scored their fourth bonus point try.

As the rain continued to pour, the game was then played out mainly in midfield as both sides introduced substitutes.

Pocklington looked like a side who may have a big say at the top end of the league this season while Malton must tighten up in defence. There is pace to spare in the backs but physical presence is in short supply.