POCKLINGTON RUFC'S best performance of the season so far took them to a notable 24-17 victory over powerful opponents Penrith in North One East.

The result, a fifth win in seven league outings for Pock, put them level on points with the third-placed Cumbrians.

Pocklington weathered some early Penrith pressure through committed defence, and they turned the tables on their visitors when fly-half Joe Holbrough cross-kicked to wing Jonty Peters in the right corner then followed up to take a return pass and plunge over.

Peters converted from wide out.

But Penrith were a big and skilful side who have spent much of the past decade in the National League, and they hit back with two tries in quick succession midway through the first half.

Slick handling from the backs brought a try in the corner and a touchline conversion, then the Penrith pack battered at the home line before handing over to the backs to cross by the posts.

Pocklington dug deep with more determined tackling and regrouped to level matters at 14-14 in first-half stoppage time through a lineout-catch-and-drive try for number eight Joe Brown, converted by Peters.

Pocklington's pack stepped up a level at the start of the second period, getting on top at the set piece to starve the visitors of possession.

Forwards and backs then combined with an incisive attack down the left, and, when the ball came back into midfield, flanker Karl Durkin went hard for the line and, despite being hit by a thumping two-man tackle by Penrith's biggest forwards a couple of yards out, he somehow managed to complete the touchdown. Peters converted.

Pock saw Durkin and skipper Ben Rees hobble off on the hour mark, and Penrith kicked a penalty to put the outcome back in the melting pot.

But home lock Tom Peters led a series of pack charges that gained a penalty chance that his younger brother converted to take the margin back up to seven points.

Pocklington continued to camp in Penrith territory and had chances to put the game to bed.

The forwards were held up over the line, and, after Penrith's pack was penalised as it collapsed at the resultant scrummage, Pocklington went for the pushover from the re-scrum but lost the ball at the base.

Then two minutes later Peters had a straight penalty, but put it wide for his only miss of the day.

Penrith threw everything into a last-gasp rally to get back on terms but Pocklington's defence held firm to ensure a memorable success.