POCKLINGTON produced a stuttering display at Durham and suffered a 23-22 defeat in this North One East fixture.

Always behind, fourth placed Pocklington had their chances but an inability to secure attacking lineout ball within sight of the home line, plus Durham making most of their opportunities, left them with a mountain to climb after going 23-8 down entering the last quarter.

Pocklington had the better of the latter stages but had to settle for a losing bonus point - secured with their third try of the day from the last play of the game.

Pocklington made a lethargic start and Durham got on their way with an early penalty.

The home side added a second penalty on the quarter hour before Pocklington opened their account with their first real raid.

Moving the ball wide on halfway, wing Jonty Peters galloped down the left, fly half Ben Rees linked inside, and centre Joe Holbrough crashed over.

Durham and Peters swapped penalties before Pocklington conceded a suicidal score on the stroke of half-time, dropping the ball in midfield on the attack and seeing Durham hack 70 yards upfield for a converted touchdown.

Pocklington showed more fire at the start of the second half before another lapse let Durham in for a second try; the home backs waltzing through and round the cover down the left flank.

That left Pocklington trailing by 15 points and allowed Durham to start running the clock down.

Pocklington finally got it right with a line-out catch and drive try for Matt Davies, converted by Peters from wide out, but handling errors and penalties conceded at key moments prevented them from turning the screw.

They kept plugging away to the end and, after half a dozen forwards had thrust for the line, the ball came out to Holbrough, now at fly half, who carved through to the posts. Peters converted with the last kick of the day.