RUGBY PREVIEW: Pocklington v Northern

LEADER OF THE PACK: Horden skipper Paul James

The Colliery side may be doomed at the bottom on North One East on just one point but there were encouraging signs last week at home to Northern.

Horden led 12-0 and 15-3 against the Newcastle side and could have been 19 points ahead but for a disputed refereeing decision when the official ruled out a hat-trick ‘try’ by Craig Jones.

Tomorrow’s match, on paper at least, looks a mission impossible, especially in light of the fact Pocklington scored a hatful of points in winning at Welfare Park at the start of the season.

But the York side, coached by former West favourite Michael Watson, are going through some tough times of their own.

Pocklington have lost four on the spin and scored only 16 points in that run so confidence is not exactly brimming at Feathers Field.

West Hartlepool won there four Saturdays ago with a strong, disciplined performance containing some excellent defensive work.

Horden must look to to do the same.

“We had a great start to the game last week,” said head coach Glenn Bowman.

“It was a shame not to get something from it.

“It’s the last game before Christmas so it would be great to pick up some points to give us something to build on for the second half of the season.

“Pocklington have lost four in a row so they’re not in great form, so we’ve got a chance.

“But we need to make sure we turn up from the first whistle, we didn’t at Crossleyans and we were 20 points down 20 minutes.”

While confidence is not high at Northumberland Street, there is no shortage of spirit with skipper Paul James leading from the front.

“Despite the situation we’re in, the lads have stuck together all season and they deserve real credit for that, Porky [James] especially,” added Bowman.

“He’s led by example in every game. Along with Davy Heckles he’s been the stand-out player this season.

“Its good to have Jonesy back, he was a real threat last week and should have had a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes.

“We didn’t get him enough ball after that.”

Horden (from): Malcolm, Wood, Yates, Hudson, Malcolm, James, Brown, Heckles, Purvis, Turton, Pelser, Heckles, Jones, Oliver, Watson, Docherty, Brymer, Hartley.