POCKLINGTON RUFC's 2018 programme ended on a low note as they lost their way at derby rivals Driffield and fell 33-10.

After the high of victory over York the previous week, Pock looked in control for the first half-hour at Driffield and led 10-0.

But it unravelled thereafter as they suffered key injuries and handed Driff easy points for the home side to pull away.

Pock, fourth bottom in North One East, now face a festive break before resuming at home to basement team Consett, when victory will be a must as they look to pull away from the drop zone.

Both Pocklington and Driffield started at a high tempo, the first 10 minutes seeing lots of thumping tackles.

Pock gradually got the upper hand as James Thompson probed, and the visitors ramped up the pressure with Joe Holbrough prominent in midfield. They launched a series of close-range charges before play was brought back for an infringement and Christian Pollock kicked the goal for a 12th-minute lead.

Sam Pattison was released down the left to take Pocklington back onto the attack. And although a pass went behind the man, full-back Pollock regathered then chipped over the onrushing cover, collected and sent Josh Britton away, the centre again having the pace and strength to reach the posts, Pollock converting.

Driffield had a player sin-binned for flopping on Britton in the act of scoring, but the 14 men grabbed a crucial score as they somehow stole the ball from the back of a Pock scrum and ran on for a converted try.

Things got worse for Pock as pack cornerstone John-Paul Kelly exited injured and a spate of scrum penalties followed. But the visitors still put together some dangerous raids with Jed Jackson twice being freed on the left. Pock had more possession and territory through to the interval, but Driffield's defence held firm.

The pendulum swung decidedly to the home side on the restart as Pocklington made a series of unforced errors.

The tone was set as Pock gave the ball away and Driffield unleashed their big runners in a period of sustained pressure.

Pock responded with committed tackling but eventually Driffield crossed to go ahead for the first time. Pock's hopes took a further blow when the influential Holbrough hobbled off.

The contrast in the two sides' ability to keep possession then put daylight between them.

Pocklington were turned over at one end, Driffield holding the position until they manufactured the opening to go 21-10 up.

Pock then had the opportunity to get back into contention, kicking a penalty to the corner, but they dropped the ball with the line in sight. Then a charged-down kick rolled dead and the chance was gone.

Driffield took full advantage to pull away. They forced a series of five-metre scrums before going over for their fourth converted try.

Pock held firm when Driff attacked again and got a penalty relief - only to gift the lineout to the home side for an easy score.

The visitors thereafter regrouped to prevent a rout but it was already Driffield's day.

Meanwhile, York's match at Consett was put back to this Saturday coming when the Clifton Parkers will look to bounce back from defeat and try to rediscover the form that had them at the summit earlier in the season.

In Yorkshire One, Selby lost 33-0 at home to high-flying Heath to leave them with relegation concerns at the turn of the year. They resume away to Bradford Salem on January 5.