Tuesday 19th August saw York entertain Pocklington in their first pre-season warm up game. York started the first of the three periods brightly with a mix of squad players applying solid pressure and forcing Pocklington to concede a number of penalties. As York progressed into the Pock half, the sustained pressure saw York score a well worked try through the forwards with their first visit into the Pock 22. The conversion just pushed wide, the score; 5 – 0.

York continued to play well, even with the expected ring-rustiness of a pre-season fixture, and controlled the majority of possession in midfield. After a period of tight play, the York backs broke left and after a series of neat passes, the ever-green Sam Arkle, playing on the wing, glided down the touch line to run in a try under the posts. The score was converted by Dawes, bringing the score to 12 – 0. The first period was concluded with Pocklington controlling their first real sustained possession, driving deep into the York 22. Neat phases by the Pock pack allowed them to score a try from short range. The conversation was missed and the first period finished York 12 – Pocklington 5.

The second period saw a re-organisation in personnel from York but with the same intensity of play. The York pack again controlling the lion’s share of possession and pushing Pock back into their own 22. Strong scrummaging by the York pack on a Pock put in close to the 5 meter line forced the Pocklington 9 to panic and Sam Thorpe was well placed to steal the ball and cross for York’s third try. 17 – 5.

The strength of York’s scrummaging showed minutes later as a York put in at the scrum, under the Pocklington posts, was controlled well by the York 8 and new recruit Meredith who went over for a well-deserved score on his debut. The try converted by Dawes, the score now read York 24 – Pocklington 5.

The final period saw more changes in players but again, continued pressure and control by the York 15. Pocklington showed strong determination to play until the end and pushed hard for 10 minutes in the York 22 as the match drew to an end. Some excellent defence, notably by the influential debutant Dave Robinson frustrated Pocklington and kept them away from the York whitewash. The pressure eventually told and , following a miss throw at the York lineout, Pocklington managed to maul their way over the try line and score. The conversion made, the final score was York 24 – Pocklington 12.

There were many positives for York to take from this first outing of the season and the hard work done in pre-season (and fitness work before pre-season) was evident. No single York player dominated the game, rather the collective performance and intensity gave them the edge against a team from a higher division.