POCKLINGTON RUFC went out of the Yorkshire Shield in frustrating fashion when they outplayed higher-ranked Keighley in most phases but lost 31-24.

They shot themselves in the foot and were punished for making too many errors.

Pock's Nick Bennett twice put his side ahead with penalties but both times the Keighley kicker restored equality.

Pocklington then produced one of the tries of the season when stand-off Sandy Mitchell sent centre Guy Hope scything through on a diagonal run from his own half and a long pass saw winger Bennett fly over.

However, two minutes later Pocklington tried a repeat when they again ran from deep in their own territory but this time a long pass went to the Keighley winger who strolled over and the conversion was the difference between the two teams at the interval.

The opposing kickers again swapped penalties then Pocklington once again committed suicide when they tried to break from their own line but dropped the ball and handed Keighley the possession to drive over from a lineout.

Pocklington replied again when Hope made another powerful diagonal run to the Keighley line where teenage scrum half Graham Pickering robbed his opposite number for a debut try.

But another unforced error put Pocklington under pressure for Keighley to drive over from close range and add the conversion.

Pock showed how dangerous their backs could be with a 70-yard move involving four players before Hope got the touchdown.

That put Pocklington back within striking range but they were caught in possession from the kick-off and the turnover saw Keighley drop a goal to seal victory.

Updated: 10:08 Monday, March 21, 2005