York hit new low

York Rugby Union Club's miserable season hit a new low on Saturday as they crashed to what is probably a record defeat - thumped 97-10 at Vale of Lune in Thwaites North Division Two.

York, already relegated, were hit by six cry-offs prior to travelling and the Lancaster team, whom they beat earlier in the season at Clifton Park, scored tries at will.

Three came in the opening 15 minutes and by half-time the home side were 50 points clear.

Vale's plan was simple, keeping the ball tight, sucking in the defence and freeing their strong running backs and it paid dividends as Vale racked up a record score.

One of the few bright spots for York was the performance of right winger Rob McNeil, a Colts player, who was making his first team debut.

He scored two tries, the first coming when Vale tried to run the ball from behind their own posts and McNeil leapt high to intercept, beat his cover and stormed in.

His second score came when he raced through Vale's pack of forwards and into the space beyond, leaving the opposition in his wake.Charlie Kama in the York centres and back row Steve Scott tackled well. Dave Dorking, out of position in the second row, and Jim Hawcutt, at wing forward, played with pride and passion, but it was not enough.

Non-availabilities and the prolonged and critical injury-list have not helped York this season and for the next campaign they need more strength in depth.

They need to get back to their traditional strong points - local home-grown talent and that points to the club's most successful side - the Colts.

Pocklington enjoy try spree

Pocklington took time to get their act together, but then put their foot on the accelerator in the second half in a remarkable turnaround, to change a 25 point deficit into a convincing 61-37 victory over Leodienisans.

Leodiensians are two leagues below Pocklington, and the home side probably expected an easy win. But the visitors had a talented back line packed with ex-County players and overseas imports and they scored twice in the first 10 minutes to open up an early 12 point lead.

Pocklington only fired occasionally, full back Mark Taylor's strength taking him over in the corner before Leo's strong running backs took them further ahead with a penalty and another try.

Pocklington hit back again when No 8 Jason Nicholson plunged in after his pack had twice been held up over the line, but Leodiensians continued to hold the initiative and two further tries before the break put them in a strong position at half time.

When Leo's scored another converted try in the first minute of the second half it took their lead to 37-12 and Pocklington had everything to do.

But powerful charges from Nicholson and his back row colleague Richard Wilson started to soften up the visitors defence and paid the way for centre Kevin Bowling to dance under the posts.

Nicholson's second touch down left Pocklington suddenly believing their could overhaul the visitors and as they stepped up a gear the tries started to come thick and fast for the home side.

Taylor again joined the line to go over for his second try, then quick hands put left wing Phil Holland over on the overlap to level the scores.

Man-of-the-match Nicholson rampaged in for this hat-trick before departing with a groin strain and Pocklington pulled away when replacement centre Jake Hirst crashed through to the posts.

They finished with a flourish and some basketball-like handling ended with wing Chris Watkins stepping inside for his side's ninth try, with Gary Pearce adding his eight successive conversion on a day when he missed his first shot a goal but then kicked everything.

Harrogate hit back to clinch win

Harrogate beat Huddersfield 30-22 in a rearranged non-league game at Claro Road on Saturday.

Huddersfield, several divisions junior to Harrogate, rocked 'Gate by racing to a 15-0 lead in as many minutes before the home side finally got their act together.

The whole idea of Harrogate filling the gap was for them to maintain vital match practice ahead of next week's final National League One game of the season against Nottingham.

Unexpectedly trailing, Harrogate hit back with tries through Ralph Zoing, Kerry Morley, winger Alisdair McClarron and No. 8 Ashley Casey, the latter from a tap penalty move.

Zoing, who has been out with an injury for most of the season, showed that he had lost none of the old form that produced a club top scoring record two years ago also scored two conversions and two penalties.

Marcus Banks and Chris Barnes scored Huddersfield's tries, Mark Kelly adding both conversions and a penalty goal.

Malton and Norton squandered a 14-3 interval lead before they went down 22-17 to Wath on Dearne in front of their own Gannock supporters.

David Webster, now playing on the wing instead of full back, converted both tries by centre Stuart Collins and winger Neil Gilbertson and also added a penalty goal.

In this Yorkshire League One game, delayed because of flooding last month, Wath responded with tries through Wayne Buckley, James Butterworth and John Howitt, Joe Thompson kicking two conversions and a penalty.

Nestl Rowntree beat West Leeds 'A' 19-7, Jerry Boucher accounting for fourteen of Rowntree's points.

Scarborough built on a 17-5 interval lead before beating home side Guisborough 39-10.

Mark Stephanie (2) and Mark Buckton scored Guisborough's tries, 'Boro hitting back with seven tries through Carl Holdsworth (2), Jeremy Pratt (2), Andy Downes, Tom Fish and Grant Lenton who added the goal points.

Middlesborough Wasps hung on to beat their hosts Northallerton 26-25 who hit back after being 26-10 down at half time.

North's unconverted tries were scored by Karl Elliott, Ed Bulman, Steve Robinson, Steve Ward and Mark Smith, the conversion of any one of which would have produced victory.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.