This was RI's first proper game against Pocklington, previously it has always been tag games where the teams have met. Pocklington are a team who've been around a few years but not got into a league yet, in spite of this have recently become media darlings with an appearance on C4's Supersize V Superskinny, testing out weight loss machines. The size of Pock's forward pack may tell Gillian McKeith that the electric shock pads didn't work too well... With RI being the more experienced team they had little to gain, a big win would be almost expected against the new team, a small win or loss would result in lost face. So, a medium sized win would make do.
RI kicked off and immediately held the Pocklington team in their own 22, Pocklington's lack of scrumming experience hindered them as they really should have steamrollered the small RI forwards off the ball. Following some scrappy back and forth action RI worked a good wide move for Anna Coombs to go over the in corner and take a 5-0 lead. The kickoff return saw another try as a good draw-and-pass from Brook gave space for Ruth Laybourn to go through the gap and score. Ruth extended the lead with a good burst, just about managing to touchdown in the corner. Ruth's hatrick came just before half-time as a gap opened up 20 metres from the line and she darted through to give a 24-0 first half.
Pocklington asked for scrums to be uncontested for the second half, RI agreeing even though their superior technique was seeing some scrums won against the head. The second half was pretty scrappy, lots of effort from both teams but not much to show for it. Eventually Ruth found some space to get over in the corner and take the score to 29-0.
It was at this point the home side got on the scoreboard. In a move so predictable Nostradamus said of it:
"Yay, the big prop will stand clear of the immobile scrum
Near the fly-half she'll begin her charge
Good yards she'll make, a forward pass there will be
Before the bearded lady scores in the corner"
Sadly none of the RI players studied history at university and so were taken by surprise with the try for RI and Pocklington winger Becca Beard. York hit back straight away with a Ruth Special, collecting a clearing kick Ruth charged 60 metres upfield with a weaving run, dodging tackles to score under the posts and wrap up a 5-36 win.
Despite being the established team two players made their full RI debuts, Angie and Helen - welcome to the team, good performances from both players, well done! Forward of the match was Pippa. Back of the match was Brook.