POCKLINGTON leapfrogged local rivals Malton & Norton in North One East with a 29-3 that lifted them to seventh in the standings.

Malt, who now sit ninth, took to the field in confident mood after their close win over table-toppers York a fortnight ago, with the returning Tom Foan the only change to the starting 15.

But Pock's defence proved too strong on a day affected by a strong down-pitch wind, with Malton's frustrations highlighted by yellow cards for Rob Armitage and Ali Fothergill as they were unable to notch a single try never mind a second successive derby victory.

The home team, seeking a swift return to the North Premier division after relegation last term, bagged a try bonus point to boot.

The game started at a high tempo with Malt playing against the strong wind. Pock's heavy pressing cost them penalties at the breakdown and, without such a strong breeze, two would have been in the kicking range of Paul Angus. But the visitors got no reward.

Instead, Pock took the lead.

Home flanker Owen Jackson had the ball over the whitewash on the left, but was ruled to have lost control as he tried to touch down.

However, Christian Pollock opened the scoring when a foray into Malton's half 11 minutes in saw the full-back pounce on a neat chip that found its way through a hole in the defence and run through for five points.

Five minutes later, on Pock's eighth penalty offence, and sixth successive infringement, a low scudding attempt from Angus found its target to get M&N on the scoreboard.

However, Pock replied four minutes on with another try, winger Jack Walters crashing over in the right corner following a series of pack charges.

Despite Pock skipper Archie Fothergill being sent to the sin-bin on 25 minutes - taking a team yellow following another infringement - the home team mounted a series of drives to the Malton line and Walters crossed for his second try, converted by Pollock, to bring the score to 17-3.

In a moment of petulance, with Pock's 14 men camped on the try-line, Malton's Ali Fothergill - cousin of opponent Archie - was likewise sent to the sin-bin after kicking the ball away, but Pollock missed a straightforward penalty and Malton held out to the interval.

Malton, with the wind now at their backs, started the second half attempting to run the ball out of their 22-metre zone but Pock pinned them back and a fumbled pass going to ground gave the hosts' pack a series of scrum penalties.

The inevitable try followed on 46 minutes through centre Joe Holbrough, complete with Pollock conversion from the touchline.

With Matthew Bowman and Liam Vaughn to the fore, Malt exerted pressure in the Pock half for 20 minutes, but the home defence was too strong, driving Malton back with a series of big tackles.

On 65 minutes, tempers frayed and Armitage was judged the aggressor in a needless squabble, receiving a yellow and knocking the stuffing out of Malt.

Pock then crossed for their final try as fly-half James Thompson completed another turnover in his own half before the ball found its way to Pollock via former Malton duo lock Fothergill and front-row Jim Thornton, and the centre raced 70 yards to the line.

Malt return to the Gannock this Saturday when they host 11th-placed Driffield. The East Riding outfit have not enjoyed much luck on their travels so far this term, losing to both Pock and Morley.

Pocklington, meanwhile, travel to 12th-placed Bradford & Bingley, who picked up their only win from six games this season a fortnight ago at home to West Leeds.