POCKLINGTON worked hard to win 23-13 at Dinnington and maintained their seven point lead at the top of North One East.

Pocklington edged ahead with a Matt Procter penalty but were severely disrupted when a promising attack saw fullback Jack Fletcher going down with a fractured fibula.

While Fletcher received treatment, the game resumed on an adjacent pitch and another Procter penalty made it 6-0 to Pocklington at the interval.

After Dinnington pulled back a penalty from halfway at the start of the second period, Pocklington moved further ahead with a well taken try.

Centre Joe Holbrough and hooker Ben Stephenson both carried strongly up the middle and the ball was moved smartly to the left where the versatile Dan Elliot, who had moved from wing to fullback in the injury re-shuffle, appeared on the end of the threequarter line to accelerate over. Procter duly converted.

Dinnington kicked a second penalty to stay in touch before Pocklington laid siege on the home line.

From a blind side break, replacement wing David Davison felt sure he had scored with a dive for the line only for his effort to be ruled out by the referee.

A series of penalties and scrums on the Dinnington line resulted before the Pock forwards eventually forced their way over - pack replacement Marcus Britland getting the final touchdown and Procter converting from out wide.

At 23-6, Pocklington looked to be in the driving seat but Dinnington had some talented individuals.

Unusually, Pocklington’s defence was found lacking as the home backs ran a Pock kick from their own 22 up the left flank before switching play to the right where they plunged over for a converted touchdown.

It was the first try that leaders Pocklington had conceded in nine and a half hours of play.

It still left Dinnington needing to score twice to get back on level terms and Pocklington regained their composure to close out the game.

Lock Archie Fothergill then took control of the lineout, scrum half Ben Rees kept his side in opposition territory with his box kicking, and No 8 Jack Holbrough made a series of muscular charges in midfield to ensure that there were no further lapses before the final whistle.