POCKLINGTON RUFC failed to build on last week's victory over Consett as they conspired to throw away a 14-point lead in a 26-21 defeat at Morley.

Fresh from their big win at York last week, Morley bagged their third North One East victory on the bounce while Pock - who had three men sin-binned in the game - remain 11th in the table.

Pock did, however, pick up a losing bonus point which keeps them within touching distance of eighth-placed Percy Park, whom they host on Saturday (2.15pm) and could overtake with a win.

Morley enjoyed a good portion of possession in the opening 10 minutes but, when Pocklington finally got a sniff and turned over possession, a strong kick and chase downfield allowed the visitors to pin the hosts in the bottom corner.

Probing from left to right, the forwards rumbled to the line and hooker Jim Thornton used his strength to burrow over. Christian Pollock added the conversion.

Pocklington were now in the ascendancy and more strong forward play took them back into the danger zone from where prop Chris Morton got over at the side of the posts but was adjudged to have been held up, with Morley able to clear.

The hosts' respite was short-lived, however, as Pock extended their lead at the end of the first quarter as centre Josh Britton picked off a Morley pass near halfway and romped home, with Pollock's conversion making it 14-0.

Having got themselves into the driving seat, it began to unravel for Pocklington, who lost Euan Walker to the sin-bin in the 29th minute before skipper Archie Fothergill was handed a team yellow card in the 31st for a ninth successive infringement.

Pocklington's 13 men battled to keep Morley out but they were twice outflanked in the 34th and 40th minutes and saw the lead cut to 14-12 at the break.

With the wind in their favour in the second period, Morley were kicking penalties to the corner and setting their backs running, eventually finding a way through to take the lead for the first time with a converted try.

Back-rowers Owen Jackson and Will Sayer were kept busy as Pock worked to bring the ball out of defence - but, when the visitors twice lost possession on halfway, Morley were quick to capitalise and freed their backs for a fourth try.

At 26-14, Morley continued to use the wind and penalties to peg back Pocklington, but the visitors' work ethic and pack drives laid the platform for Britton finish from 20 metres and for Pollock to kick his third conversion to put them back within a score of the hosts.

Pock picked up a third yellow card but still looked able to rescue a result and pounded at the Morley cover in the closing minutes, but the home side's determined defence held firm.