POCKLINGTON finally laid their Morpeth bogey to rest – but it was a close run thing as they edged to a nail-biting 20-17 victory in deepest Northumberland.

On a heavy pitch, Pocklington got there mainly thanks to a hard-working performance from the pack and another immaculate goal-kicking display from teenager Jonty Peters, who kicked four from four in contrast to the home kicker’s return of one from five attempts.

Pocklington made an awful start, shipping an overlap try in the first minute.

However, they dragged themselves back with Peters’ first penalty and, after several line-out hiccups, it eventually came right.

The pack pressed in the far corner before the ball was worked blind for full back Jack Fletcher to dive over. Peters converted from the touchline.

At this stage, Pocklington looked to be taking control. However, Morpeth regained the initiative late in the first half.

Despite missing a couple of penalty shots, their forward pressure saw a Pocklington man dispatched to the sin-bin.

From the subsequent scrum, Morpeth were awarded a penalty try which gave them a 12-10 interval lead.

Pocklington’s defence held firm early in the second half before working their way up to the other end of the pitch.

After coming close in both corners, they attacked down the middle and back row Jack Holbrough surged under the posts. Peters converted.

Again, Pocklington looked in control but let it slip and a Morpeth breakaway ended with the home scrum-half catching his own chip for their third try.

The conversion again failed, to leave the scores tied at 17-17 with ten minutes to go.

Pocklington’s next attack brought them another penalty and Peters sent his long kick sailing over to regain the lead.

Pocklington then pinned Morpeth back on their own line in the dying minutes to close out the game and seal victory.