Crusaders' problems began before the kick off when work commitments and injury robbed them of skipper Simon Atkin and front row forwards John Duffy, Rob Riley and Paul Sinfield. The ever willing 2nd row Peter Southgate was press ganged into the prop position where he was joined by the promoted Richard Leach, with Duncan Walsh making his first senior appearance of the season alongside Tim Midgley in the 2nd row, in the re-arranged pack.

In the event, the makeshift forward line up performed creditably against lively opposition, whilst never totally gaining command except for brief periods. The front row held up well and youngsters Lee Gordon, Morgan Bailey and replacement Lee Sugden all confirmed their potential for the future. In the backs reserve scrum half James Kubran showed some neat touches and centre Nigel Curr continued to impress.

Crusaders policy from the start was to use the backs as the cutting edge and they opened with some lively and creative attacking play with forwards and backs combining well but without reward. It was, however, Pocklington who grabbed the lead when wingman Hayles exploited a sketchy defence from a blind side move following a scrum 15 meters from the Crusaders' line.

Acting skipper John Harrison, benefiting from a fine service from scrum half Kubran, and playing with increasing confidence after his long absence through injury soon reduced the arrears with a 40-meter penalty goal. Crusaders were at this stage in the game playing the better rugby and were rewarded when a drive to the line by the pack enabled No.8 Bailey to plunge over for his first senior try to which Harrison added the conversion.

Crusaders were good value for their lead but it was soon squandered when Home centre Stephenson was allowed far too much time and space in midfield before switching direction and feeding wingman Jackson who crossed in the corner.

A moment of youthful impetuosity by young centre Dale Towler resulted in his being banished to the sin bin shortly before half time, but the depleted side hung on and continued to take play to the opposition. The luckless Harrison was off target with 3 long range penalty goals attempts in quick succession, but Crusaders were rocked by a freak try when a speculative and seemingly innocuous kick ahead bounced cruelly away from the covering full back Matt Gaffney and Jackson followed up for the simplest of touch downs.

A penalty goal by full back Taylor increased Pocklington's lead to 11 points before Harrison pegged back the score with a successful kick at goal.

Pocklington's forwards now looked fitter and fresher than Crusaders who were forced into some desperate defending. They launched several ambitious and precocious counter attacks from deep in their own half without success until on the stroke of time centre Nigel Curr cut loose from the half way line before beating off several tackles on a touchline run which ended with him crossing for a spectacular try in the corner.

It was a brave display by the under-strength Crusaders side. It was a match they could and should have won. Better organisation in defence would have prevented two of Pocklington's tries and the 3rd typified the ill luck that has dogged them for much of the season. Once again, however, too many penalties were conceded and ball retention was often suspect.