L 14-29

By Craig Bone

First home game back after the pandemic, against a Pocklington who had been the league above for a few years so we knew it was going to be a stern test.

Weather forecast was right for a change it was pouring down at Silver Royd.

Vikings started really well with some quick first-phase ball giving us the go forward which full back Joe Davies obliged, coming on a fantastic line to score just wide of the posts, converted by Alex Paddock. Then Pocklington starting getting their fair share of quick ball, with a repeated pick-up and go scored to make the game 7-7.

Vikings played some great cohesive rugby which, when the ball got to Tom Anderson, he did what Anderson nearly always does scores – beats 3 Pocklington players to score a brilliant individual try in the corner which was magnificently converted by Alex Paddock giving the half time score 14-7 to the Vikings.

Second half Pocklington with the wind came out the stronger and kicked a penalty from the whistle to get to 14-10, they continued to stay in the Vikings half to score 3 more tries from broken play and good support play to end the score 14-29 in favour of Pocklington.

Some great stand out performances, from Ian Williams, Joe Davies, Ed Hopper, Tom Read but Man of Match was Matty Ward for his sheer work-rate and his engine.

Vikings have two weeks off now to get the niggling injuries sorted out.