POCKLINGTON made sure of promotion from Yorkshire Three with a convincing 34-0 victory at home to Northallerton.

The Percy Roaders, with several changes in their back-line, took time to settle but steadied themselves with a 12th minute try from flanker Adam Pears, converted by Henry Mitchell, from a line-out catch and drive.

With Mitchell finding some long touches, Pocklington extended their lead with a carbon copy second for Pears from another close range line-out, Mitchell again converting.

And Pocklington pulled clear with ten points in the last three minutes of the first half. After a spell of intense attacking, Mitchell kicked a simple penalty, and when Northallerton's kick off didn't go ten Pocklington attacked right from the scrum on the halfway. Full back Charlie Allen burst clear up the touchline and fed inside for Pears to back-up and go over for his hat-trick.

Pocklington had to defend strongly as Northallerton piled on the pressure at the start of the second-half. But Pocklington tackled fiercely and lifted the siege for wing Fergus Purtill to dance down the left and link inside for Mitchell to cross.

And Pocklington finished things off in the last minute when long passes along the back line saw Allen outpace the defence to go under the posts, Mitchell kicking a third conversion.

The win ensured Pocklington's promotion, but they still have to entertain Castleford next month in a winner-takes-all championship decider.

Both teams have 20 points each with two games to play, Castleford having won 43-14 at bottom club Leeds Corinthians on Saturday.

Pock's next league game is at Roundhegians on April 3 when Cas entertain Hemsworth.

Updated: 10:57 Monday, March 15, 2004