WIRRAL, mindful of Tuesday's Cheshire Vase Final against Sandbach, rested a number of players for the fixture away at relegated Pocklington.

The home side were determined to put on a show for their spectators and did so with a first half performance which earned them a try bonus point.

In the first half Wirral did not help matters with poor defending and inability to control the ball when in possession although in the first 10 minutes they put Pocklington under pressure but could not turn the territory and possession into points.

The first score for the home side came in the 11th minute when the home captain, Jonty Peters broke through to score, in the final 10 minutes of the half, Pocklington ran in three more tries to extend their lead to 26-0.

In the first 20 minutes of the second half, Wirral played with more passion as the substitutes played their part and reduced the arrears to 26-14 with two converted tries through Matt Loon and Jack Yarker, both converted by James Annetts.

With Wirral continuing to press the turning point of the game came half way through the second half when Pocklington fly half Christian Pollock intercepted an attack from Wirral which left him with a run in, although the try was not converted the try was quickly followed by a penalty to extend the home side lead to 34-14.

Wirral continued with their improved form of the second half to score two more converted tries through Matt Loon again and Paul Lewis to reduce the deficit to 34-28.

Wirral now sensed a surprise victory but the old demons of not controlling the ball and giving away penalties came back to haunt them with further pressure from Pocklington came a drive from 5m out and scoring their sixth try to give the home side a deserved 41-28 win and to deny Wirral a losing bonus point.