Yarnbury 29 - Pocklington-13

Match report by Oliver Cashman

Yarnbury 29 - Pocklington-13
Yarnbury fielded a strong squad, with a nice mixture of youth and experience, for this tricky league fixture against a big Pocklington side.
Yarnbury started with a strong breeze behind them and early pressure led to a penalty converted by Stephen Riley.
Pocklington began to keep the ball well with their big forwards, but the defence from Yarnbury was outstanding. Craig Barker and Tom Goldthorpe making some impressive hits with Rhys Leighton and Chris Hopwood making a nuisance of themselves at the ruck.
For all their pressure Pocklington could only convert a penalty. Yarnbury struggled to utilise the wind to clear their lines, until an excellent clearance from Aidan Connolly, starting his first game on the wing. From the resulting territory, Yarnbury started to exert pressure and Stephen Riley showed a nice turn of pace to step through the opposition midfield and he slipped the ball inside to Graham Maycock who scored under the posts. Riley converted.
Yarnbury then created a number of excellent chances. The ever young Riley outstripped the opposition midfield again but a forward pass from the resulting break saw a try go begging. Towards the end of the half Pocklington began to enjoy more territory and possession after a silly penalty at the breakdown. However Yarnbury continued to frustrate with excellent defence. It looked as if the home team would hold out until half time until eventually the pressure told and the ball was eventually shipped out wide for Pock to score in the corner.
The try was converted to leave it 10 a piece at half time with Yarnbury playing into the wind second half. Playing into a strong breeze in the second half it seemed Yarnbury may rue missed opportunities, especially when Yarnbury were harshly penalised for holding on from the kick off and Pocklington converted the penalty to take an early lead.
The lead did not last long and the tide was turned after pressing from the Yarnbury defence led to an excellent interception from Lee Mortimer who finished strongly to make it 17-13 after Riley converted. Yarnbury then displayed excellent spirit and controlled the ball well playing into the wind with Cam Newby directing operations. Yarnbury pressure led to a kick to the corner and a catch and drive saw the Yarnbury pack, impressively led by a reinvigorated Adam Pike, driving over the Pocklington line with Captain Tom Whitfield dotting down.
Yarnbury continued to control the ball and after a number of phases there was no stopping Joe Vertigans who crashed over to make it 29-13 after Riley converted.
With 15 minutes to go Pocklington lay siege to the Yarnbury line and it is a testament to the temperament and determination of the players who defended heroically and refused to let their line be breached.
An excellent win and a great second half where all players stepped up to the mark.