On the back of some poor away performances The Pythons were looking towards a close game against mid table Pocklington. A try down after 2 mins, The Pythons started to get into their game plan with Pete Millward leading a number of charges through mid field. After a period of pressure Pocklington give away a penalty and Jed Carr is successful, 3-7. Carr continues working the lines and Marcus Fotherby secures good ball for Liam Kernoghan to feed Carr. Pocklington add 2 more penalties and the Pythons 1 more 6-13 on 30 mins.
A scrum on the home 22 sees the Pock number 8 pick and go feeding his winger to score in the corner, 6-18 half time.
The Pythons begin the second half with intent. Hugh Tatlow burst through and sets the ball in the Pock 22, Kernoghan feeds George Booth tackled high 10m out – Carr kicks the penalty 9-18. Pocklington work back into the home 22 and earn a penalty, 9-21. A breakdown on The Pythons 22 sees the Pock winger spot a gap to score next to the posts, 9-28. Playing with some confidence pressure on the home line results in a penalty try for Pocklington and a yellow card for The Pythons, 9-35.
Undeterred The Pythons work their phases once again, Rhys Cory breaks through into the 22, a penalty at the breakdown and Carr puts the ball on the 5m line but Pocklington steal the line out and clear their lines. A break through mid filed and Pocklington are back in The Pythons 22. A knock on is deemed deliberate by the referee who awards a second penalty try and a yellow card, 9-42 full time.
After the game Coach Dan Bird said,”This was a performance not worthy of Yorkshire 1. Unforced errors opened the door for a well disciplined Pock side early on and we struggled to get into the fixture. We had talked all week about targeting this fixture as part of our fight for survival. We really have to find another gear in the next two home games! The players have been set the task to reflect on their individual contribution and we now have 2 weeks to prepare for a must win game!
The Whittakers Gin MOM was awarded to Hugh Tatlow.
The Pythons face Bradford and Bingley at The JSG on Feb 17th, kick off 2.15pm.
