Thereafter, until the final 10 minutes, it was all Harrogate as they scored 7 tries and raced into a 43-3 lead. Then, 2 yellow cards reduced Harrogate to 13 men and they conceded 2 tries plus a penalty try to add some respectability to the Pocklington scoreline.

Christian Pollock, Pocklington’s full back was their outstanding player and, as it turned out scored all their points in the match. A Harrogate defensive offside offence led to his opening penalty goal. Sustained Harrogate attacks followed and, after a series of driving mauls, scrum half Danny Matthews darted over in the corner to score. Debutant winger, Connor Miller is the Harrogate Colts captain and he played exceptionally well. After a Pocklington scrum was penalised, Harrogate opted for another scrum and the ball was quickly spread for C Miller to outpace the defence and score.

Harrogate’s next try came from attacking play inside their own 22. Jonny Coser made the initial break and Keane Naylor scythed through the midfield. Tight head prop, Connor Ward ploughed through the Pocklington defence and Andy Boyde was in support to score. As half time approached, Boyde further distinguished himself by being yellow carded for the first (and last) time this season.

The Harrogate pressure continued after the interval and Naylor put in an attacking grubber kick after a strong break. Pocklington attempted to counter from a defensive line-out but a strong C Miller tackle ended the move. From Harrogate turnover ball, Matthews broke strongly. Replacement centre, Noel Minikin made a very welcome appearance after a long injury lay off and his attacking skills set up Matt Landsall for Harrogate’s next try converted from the touchline by Sam Fox.

Well controlled Harrogate driving mauls led to desperate Pocklington defence and a yellow card for score a converted try in the corner. Harrogate attacks from defence then led to 2 almost identical converted tries from centres Euan Miller and Naylor. Coser was then yellow carded and Pocklington’s Pollock quickly took advantage of the extra space to score a converted try. A Pocklington driving maul was then halted illegally and a penalty try was awarded. Tim Heaton joined Coser in the bin and Harrogate were reduced to 13 men. In the final move of the match, Pocklington turnover ball was quickly passed to Pollock who scored another fine converted try.

Harrogate: Rosillo, C Miller, Naylor, E Miller, Landsall, Fox, Matthews, Purkiss-McEndoo, Larder, Ward, Boyde,
J Coser, Yorke, Morat, Heaton. Subs:- Peace, Hucknall, Minikin

Pocklington: Pollock, Richardson, Flint, Peters, Walters, Procter, Davidson, Garvey, Birch, Morton, Fothergill, Wilson, Davison, Smith, Stephenson. Sub s:- Walker, Elliot, Norris.

Referee: Adam Morrison (Northern)

Match report by Bill Barrack