POCKLINGTON RUFC'S inconsistencies this season returned with a vengeance as they crashed at home to lowly Cleckheaton.

The team had won away to the then North One East leaders Scarborough last time out and expectations were duly high at Percy Road for another victory.

But the question many supporters were asking was which Pock outfit would turn up this time - and the answer was the other one, as early errors, followed by indiscipline and injury saw them slump to a 14-47 defeat.

It left them 10th in the table, looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap, ahead of this weekend's trip to high-fliers Huddersfield YMCA.

There were promising signs for Pocklington against Cleckheaton as they launched some early raids, an interception and a knock-on thwarting two good build-ups in the opening exchanges.

But a poor pass then saw Cleckheaton break out and one success from two long-range penalties on either side of the quarter-hour gave them the lead.

They lost a player to the sin-bin from the restart for taking the catcher out, but Pocklington continued to create incisive attacks without finding a finish. This included full-back Christian Pollock carving down the left from halfway only for the last pass to be dropped with the line begging.

Pock came again but an overlap was wasted on the right, then another Pollock break again saw the ball go to ground.

The hosts finally got their offloading game going on the half-hour, but they were penalised for holding on - a problem that would haunt them all afternoon - and Cleckheaton banged over another penalty.

This time Pock won back the restart, the home backs carved down the right, the forwards took it on into the red zone, and, when the play came back to centre field, ubiquitous flanker Will Sayer plunged over, Pollock converting to put them ahead.

The lead was short-lived. This time Cleckheaton claimed the restart and, while determined defence kept them out in the Oval corner, the visitors spread the ball wide left to cross at the flag and convert.

Pocklington attacked again in stoppage time and were again penalised for holding on in the shadow of the posts, therefore finishing the first period 13-7 in arrears.

With the wind at their backs, they went into the second half with a degree of optimism. However, Cleckheaton stepped up to grab the initiative, and, as the visitors attacked, Pock's day imploded.

They suffered a red card for stamping and Cleckheaton kicked another penalty.

They remained in with a shout as Ben Rees broke through, but Cleckheaton got a hand in to deflect away the last pass, and home hopes were further depth charged as Josh Britton went off with a shoulder injury sustained in the build-up.

Cleckheaton were big and experienced, and they were never going to miss out on their man advantage.

They launched a barrage of rolling mauls and catch and drives, rumbling 40 yards up the right to plunge over, then breaking through the middle after another pack thrust to move out of sight at 30-7.

Pocklington finally retained possession to create some phases. Pollock produced another break from full-back, Rees maintained the momentum up the left, and, when the ball was swung right, it found skipper Archie Fothergill in space to romp over, Pollock converting.

But it was always going to be Cleckheaton's day and they rubbed it in in the closing stages with two more tries and three goals.