POCKLINGTON RUFC are hopeful that Samoan-born newcomer Freddie Soloa will be available for selection in the club’s first league meeting with Sandal in North Premier tomorrow.

Three-quarter Soloa has arrived at Percy Park from New Zealand as part of a six-month holiday during which he is looking to play some rugby.

He has struggled to shake off a long-standing ankle injury, but has improved of late and will have a fitness test today.

Off the pitch, meanwhile, tomorrow also sees the club's annual vice-presidents lunch at 12.15pm, and after the match, there will be further celebrations as club captain, Mickey Beard, leads a quartet of former players performing live music to mark their 65th birthdays.

Later in the evening, the club will host their fancy dress Christmas party, including food and disco in the clubhouse.

In their last outing, Pocklington were soundly beaten 50-10 at Billingham, despite dominating the first half-hour.

Pock took the game to the hosts for long periods with some ferocious tackling and strong carries, but failed to turn pressure into points.

Jonty Peters opened the scoring with a towering 40-metre kick, and the visitors had the opportunity to extend their lead when flanker Owen Jackson was dragged down a yard short following an outstanding break, while the resultant five-metre scrum came to nothing.

Late in the half, the Teessiders turned the game on its head as they scored a try with their first real attack of the match, and added a second six minutes into stoppage time.

Billingham opened the second period in the ascendency and crossed twice more to pull clear, their quick hands, slick three-quarter play and tap penalties paying dividends on the wide pitch.

Pocklington still had their moments, and in the last 10 minutes, the back row peeled blind from a scrum, skipper Ben Rees took it on and his delayed pass saw fullback Ben Thoy gallop to the line for a consolation score, with Peters converting.

The visitors finished gamely, strongly attacking down both flanks, but the raids were once again halted by penalties, and Billingham cleared to close out the game.

Pocklington’s second XV enjoyed a more positive result, as they beat their Sandal counterparts 31-8.

Their first team, tomorrow’s visitors, currently sit in 11th place in the division, only two places above second-bottom Pocklington, but 11 points ahead.

It is worth noting that strugglers Pocklington are facing up to clubs in their division with far greater financial clout, operating with budgets of up to £300,000.

North One East mid-table Malton & Norton are tomorrow at home to Dinnington, who have not won an away league match all season.

Last Saturday, Malt lost 49-7 at Alnwick, while their visitors beat Huddersfield YMCA 33-14.

Runaway Yorkshire One leaders York earned their 13th win on the trot last weekend with a 31-5 victory over Old Brodleians.

Tomorrow, they travel to their closest title rivals, Heath, whose last fixture ended in a 38-20 win at Wheatley Hills.

Basement side Selby are at home to Hullensians. Both teams have one win in six.

Selby lost 35-22 at Old Rishworthians last week, while Hullensians were beaten 27-20 at home by Keighley.

York RI host Hessle tomorrow in Yorkshire Four. The fifth-placed visitors have the same record as RI in sixth, but three points more.

Last week, Hessle beat second-bottom Sheffield Oaks 45-5, while RI went down 38-14 at Mosborough.