POCKLINGTON RUFC put in a big shift in the mud at Rossendale but little went in their favour as the home side pulled away late on to notch a 36-8 victory in North Premier.

It was the heaviest pitch Pocklington have encountered this season - hardly surprising as Rossendale's ground in the shadow of the Rawtenstall hills is named Marl Pits.

And they were left bemoaning a heavy penalty count, too, as well as rotten luck as they remained entrenched in the relegation zone.

Pock's old problem of being penalised at the tackle area again hurt them from the start, a series of free-kicks giving Rossendale the platform to go for three lineout catch and drives before finally rumbling over and converting for an eighth-minute lead.

Pock finally got going and Dan Elliot kicked a penalty goal for a high tackle to cut the deficit to 7-3.

However the visitors soon lost the first of three men to the sin-bin and Rossendale's handling was more adept as they spread the ball quickly left then right for a converted second try.

Pocklington could have been swamped, but great defence kept Rossendale at bay with young wing Tom Richardson distinguishing himself with a try-saving cover tackle.

And, having held firm in defence, Pock ended the half strongly. The backs probed down the left before a penalty award set up a forward drive and Jackson reacquainted himself with the Lancashire mud of his childhood by burrowing in for the try to make it 14-8 at the break.

Pocklington mistakes gave Rossendale a third try on the resumption, but the visitors were still in with a shout until injuries, errors and decisions going against them took the game away.

Replacement Jack Holbrough made a twisting surge deep into the home 22 but was sin-binned at the next breakdown and Rossendale broke away to the other end where they gave Pock a lesson in keeping the ball until the opening appeared for the try, the conversion making it 26-8.

The Pock forwards continued to put in a big shift, but it was clearly not the side's day as they were torpedoed down to 13 men for the last 10 minutes.

They lost props Sam Garvey and Will Norris to injury in quick succession - causing uncontested scrums which now means a man has to leave the field in compensation.

And when Pock again coughed up possession on the attack, Freddie Soloa chased back 60 metres to save the day only for his cover tackle to be harshly adjudged high - with the full-back becoming the third Pock guy to receive a yellow card.

It left Rossendale to make the most of their two-man advantage to twice outflank their opposition in the dying minutes and give the scoreline a look that gives scant justice to Pock's considerable efforts throughout.