Leos welcomed Pocklington to crag lane where the visitors were looking to consolidate their position in mid table. Whilst Pocklington have their traditional strength up front, they have alloyed this with some exciting new backs including the Holborough brothers.

Leos on the other hand were looking to move up table and convert the significant territorial advantage they have had in the previous few weeks into points. Tom Bindloss was a full back Knibbsy and Winter formed the centre pairing with Gareth Chesters starting in the second row and the back row formation was Fforde Richards and Burdy.

Pocklington brought a strong contingent of supporters who were looking to complete a double over Leos following their home success earlier in the season. Leos on the other hand have had a good home record over Pock over the last 4 years having won each encounter, so there was a sense of anticipation as Pock kicked off. . Jim Collard our president was back from his 3 month vacation in Australia to add his vociferous support!!

As with most league fixtures this season the earlier exchanged were even with neither side gaining ant true ascendancy. he welcome return from injury over the past month by Dave Robinson has had a strong impact in the front row and he was once more showing up strongly in the early exchanges.

Leos took the lead after 10 minutes when Nick Freear won the line out the ball was spread wide to the backs and when the ball was given to Mark Winter he was upended by Rees and Matt Freear converted the penalty from 30 metres in from of the posts
Leos 3 Pocklington 0

Pocklington went back on the attack and they were making good yardage through Morton Wilson and Kennedy but Leos defence was solid. The ball was then turned over Matt Freear popped the ball up to Winter who sliced through the visitors defence to make fully 30 metres before stringer made a good tackle to stop what looked like a certain try.

Pocklington were then given a penalty for offside and they kicked for the corner.Whitton won the line out and the pock pack rumbled forward, the ball was then spread to the backs and the pock fly half wrong footed the Leos defence to score a try under the posts which Bennett converted. Leos 3 Pocklington7

Defence for both sides were on top but it was this time for Leos to make good ground up field where Gareth Chesters, Jono Richards and Ed Connell were in the thick of the action.

On 33minutes the territorial advantage told when Chilly Wood fed Matt Freear who slipped the ball to Mark Winter who slice through the Pock defence to score a well taken try under the posts Matt Freear slotted the conversion Leos 10 Pocklinton 7

Leos went straight back onto the attack with the engine room of Nick Freear and Tim Fforde winning good possession but Pock defended resolutely and the half time whistle was blown with Leos holding the slight advantage

Half Time Leos 10 Pocklington 7

Leos restarted the second half and went straight on the attack the ball went across the pock backs and winger Pritchard made good ground to hold off Mark McDaid and Tom Bindloss to score out wide in the corner the conversion was missed Leos 10 Pocklington 12

On 50 minutes Jono Richards who had a good all-round game in the back row was replaced by James Haslam.Leos were gaining more ball up front against a well disciplined visiting pack and on 60 minutes following some more pressure James Knibbs was given the ball in the middle of the park 20 metres out and he showed great pace and strength when he cut through the Pock defence to score a good individual try. Leos 15 Pocklington 12.

Pock were well in the game and on 68 minutes levelled the scores when the ref judged Leos offside at a ruck and from 37 metres our Bennett struck a well taken penalty to level the scores
Leos 15 Pocklington 15.

Stuart Baker and Knibbsy were once more cutting into the Pock defence with some strong running but again the visitors defence held firm.

With the Leos pack going forward and Burdy directing the charge, the ref gave Leos a penalty on 77 minutes for offside. Matt Freear coolly added the points from 25 metres out in front of the posts. Leos 18 Pocklington 15.

Pocklington had one last charge and they took the ball into the Leos 22.The message from the coaching staff was no penalties and they managed to relive the pressure and take the ball into the middle of the park where the ref blew for full time.

FINAL SCORE Result Leos 18 Pocklington 15

This was a good game of rugby played at a good level between two well matched sides Leos deserved the victory and 2 league points.

There were many positive from the Leos performance that the coaching staff were pleased about:
Stu Baker once more had some strong runs on the wing and defended well, whilst his counterpart on the other wing Mark McDaid whilst playing out of position showed up well in attack.

The centre combination of James Knibbs and Mark Winter were inspirational with 2 well taken individual tries. Matt Freear and Chilly Wood were composed and linked well at half back.

Ed Connell and Dave Robinson gave a great platform in the scrum where once more Macca stole a couple of strikes against the head

The second row of Chester's and Nick Freear won our line our ball and were prominent in the loose.

The back row of Burdy Richards Fforde and Haslam worked well as a unit

The Leos man of the match award was a close call to make between centres James Knibbs and Mark Winter who both had superb games
The decision however was awarded to Mark Winter for his great try and his creative running around the park.

Scorers:
Leos: Tries Winter, Knibbs
ConverstionsFreear
Penalties Freear x 2
Pocklingtron: Tries Number 10, Pritchard
Penalties Bennett

Teams
Leos:Bindloss,Baker,Knibbs,Winter,McDaid,MattFreear,Wood,Connell,McIntosh,RobinsonFforde,Chesters,Nick Freear,Richards,Burdon,Haslam

Pocklington: Stringer, PritchardBennett, Holborough, Holboriugh, Mitchell,Rees, Wilson, Britten, Morton, Kelly, Whitton, Tilley, Bean, Littlefair