THE difference between top of the pile and mid-table in North One East was evident as Pocklington RUFC lost 26-0 to leaders Sheffield.

The game was much closer than the scoreline suggests, but Sheffield’s superior finishing gave them the upper hand.

Each of the four Sheffield tries came when Pocklington had a good attacking opportunity, only for Sheffield to hold firm then take play to the other end to score.

Pocklington again spent long periods camped in opposition territory, but they missed a couple of penalties and were unable to match Sheffield’s cutting edge.

There were a number of good individual performances for Pocklington with lock Tom Peters and centre Billy Hardy both taking the game to the opposition, while prop Mike Whitton was Pocklington’s latest teenage debutant off the bench.