POCKLINGTON returned to winning ways in the North One East with a 24-12 success against Durham City, writes Phil Gilbank.

It was only Pocklington’s second home run-out of the season and they made the perfect start to be two scores up within 10 minutes.

The lineout, which had malfunctioned the previous week, was in working order straightaway, the first throw producing an unstoppable catch and drive surge that brought the opening try for hooker Dave Birch, with Christian Pollock converting.

Five minutes later, a sparkling back raid made 60 metres down the clubhouse side to produce another attacking lineout.

The pack secured and crabbed infield, then the backs probed right and flanker Ed Davison was in support to cross from close range.

Pollock sent another conversion soaring through the posts.

With home scrummage also in ascendancy, Durham were wilting as Pocklington resumed the offensive.

They were held up over the Durham line on the left, before another promising home attack then threw the visitors a lifeline.

Pock’s backs went wide and the Durham number eight intercepted to gallop 80 metres to the corner and make it 14-7 on the half hour.

The score revitalised Durham and they ended the first have pressurising the home line, with Pock having to dig deep to hold their lead to the interval.

Pocklington made a lively start to the second half, but the sides were now well matched and the action went from end to end, with Pock wing Jed Jackson distinguishing himself with some energetic cover defence.

Pocklington regained the initiative as they worked a switch move from the base of a scrum on halfway.

Centre Pollock made ground in midfield, then his grub kick behind was helped on and fly-half Louis Sangwin followed up to score by the posts, leaving an easy conversion for Pollock.

But Pocklington switched off and allowed Durham an immediate response with a long breakaway bringing a try in the right corner.

Again Durham were boosted by a score, which gave them a hope of getting back on level terms, or at least salvaging a losing bonus point.

Pocklington still had aspirations of a try bonus but in the end they had to settle for a long range Pollock penalty to seal the result.

Elsewhere in the division, Malton and Norton dropped into the bottom half of the North One East table after suffering a 25-13 defeat away to Scarborough.

Scarborough opened proceedings with a rapid opening score from Aaron Wilson which rocked Malton back on their heels.

On seven minutes, Tom Hoggard chased his own kick and was cynically taken out by Drew Govier, who earned a yellow card, with Sam Dawson following him to sin-bin later in the half.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Scarborough went over again, this time through debutant Carlos Roberts, for a seven-pointer.

Malton did strike back via a trademark Rob Featherstone drive, though Scarborough's Joe Marshall crossed on 22 minutes, with another conversion following.

Paul Angus scurried over from a quick tap but Scarborough closed out the first half with a simple penalty goal.

Malton's Matt Bowman saw yellow for a high tackle, as did Will Hughes late, giving Scarborough another penalty goal.

The visitors got a three-pointer of their own in the dying stages.