With 7 players unavailable for the 1XV fixture against Leodensians, the 2XV had to call on several 3rd team squad to get 16 players to travel to Pocklington. The game started in strong wind but dry conditions. From the kick off Pock showed their intent with a very powerful drive, good carrying and poor defence lead to an early try, though the final pass looked forward to all except the ref. The next phase of play was similar, the home teams scrum was dominant and Wath were on the back foot from the set piece. Within 10 minutes Pocklington had scored 3 tries 17-0. The first substitution was made, Lewis Hewitt who had travelled despite having very heavy cold, came off for a rest. Steve West came on for his first game for nearly 2 years, for what he thought was a 10 minute taster. The scrum was more stable now and Wath started to apply pressure to the Pock line, several attacks were stopped short, however when the home team had the ball they were very good, powerful surges and excellent support play. Luke Harrison, Henry Roberts and skipper Jim West putting in last ditch tackles to keep the score down. There were several good runs from the backs, Andy Lintin, Sean Power several times breaking the line. Unfortunately after 25 minutes flyhalf Sam Jones took a knock in a tackle and had to leave the field. Alex Anders moved out to wing and Lewis Hewitt who really only wanted to go to bed came back on the field. Pocklington scored two more tries in the half, again both had a hint of forward pass about them, but hey-ho.
The second half started well with Wath driving to the line. From a ruck 15m out Steve West drove at the line was tackled 10m out, set the ball back for Jim West to get within 2m of line and pop a pass to Calum McNally to touch down. From the kick off a misunderstanding on calling the catch led to a scrum 15m from Wath line. Pocklington won it and they hit back straight away. The next 25 minutes the 2 teams were fairly equal, however with 20 minutes gone in the half Wath had 2 players sin binned for supposed high tackles. However while down to 13 men Wath held their line, defending superbly and even setting up some attacks. The home team were annoyed not to take advantage. However the toll of the efforts told in the last 10 minute when Pocklington scored 3 more tries. The Wath boys can be proud of their efforts, although a few were concerned that the referee was a Pocklington member and wore their club socks. Hopefully when they visit Wath we will have a full complement of fit players. Thanks to the Alec Metcalfe, Don Theaker, Tom Batty and Sam Bagshaw for making the effort and travelling.

Man of Match; Jim West