POCKLINGTON RUFC'S late-season surge continued in their last home North Premier encounter - as they beat Wirral 41-24 with a six-try display to record a second successive five-point victory.

Relegated Pock built a commanding lead and, while the Merseyside visitors fought back and looked set to steal the result, the home side dug deep to finish their home league campaign on a high note.

The hosts created early opportunities and, although errors sunk promising positions, they came again and skipper Tom Peters opened their account with a show and go.

Wirral started to throw the ball around in midfield, then got camped on Pock's line, and three times they tried to force their way over from lineout catch and drives, only for the defence to hold firm.

Instead, home fly-half Christian Pollock ran out of defence, flanker Jack Holbrough took over to break through on halfway and scrum-half David Davison scampered clear to the posts, Pollock converting.

Pock turned the screw to pull clear with two more scores late in the first half.

When Wirral didn't contest the close-range lineout, Holbrough caught, landed, spun and stretched to the line.

Wirral were stung into a response but Pocklington's defence was again solid, and with the last play of the half Pollock sparked another counter attack, Holbrough blasted on and centre Jonty Peters weaved and stepped to the posts.

Pollock's conversion made it 26-0 at the interval.

If Pocklington began the second period in cruise control, it did not last long.

Wirral, five places above in the table, came out invigorated and scored within five minutes. Before the end of the third quarter, they bagged a second converted try to make it 26-14.

It was now all Wirral and Pock looked jaded from their earlier exertions.

However, then came the game's crucial moment as the Merseysiders attacked again down the Percy Road side. Pollock intercepted a pass inside his own half and galloped 60 metres to touch down.

Pock came again and Pollock kicked a straightforward penalty.

At 34-14 inside the last quarter-hour, it once more looked all over. But Wirral had other ideas, carving up the middle then spreading the ball wide for a third converted try.

Straightaway they broke clear again and home wing Jack Walters raced back to make a try-saving tackle, only for it to be adjudged high and earn him a spell in the sin-bin.

Wirral kicked to the corner and rumbled over from the lineout for the score.

At 34-28 with Pocklington a man down and six minutes still to go, suddenly Wirral looked favourites.

But somehow the hosts found reserves of energy to close the game out.

A strong scrum followed by a penalty to the corner set up a forward drive and hard-tackling replacement Karl Durkin looked to have scored. He was adjudged to have been held up, but the home pack gave it one last blast and this time lock Archie Fothergill was awarded the touchdown.

Pollock converted to seal the victory.