POCKLINGTON put in a big performance at Penrith and were rewarded with an even bigger result - a 13-7 victory over one of their nearest title challengers - to maintain their position at the top of North One East.

Going into the game, Penrith were unbeaten at home and had billed this fixture as ‘make-or-break’. They started with intensity and took the lead from a penalty but Pocklington’s strong tackling and solid set pieces won back the initiative.

However, with the last play of the first half, Penrith burst down the right, putting over another penalty award to lead 6-0.

If the first period had been end-to-end stuff, it was a different story after the break. Pocklington went on the offensive, spending virtually the whole of the second 40 minutes camped in Penrith territory.

Pocklington had two line-outs in the bottom corner and a catch and drive was stopped illegally, Penrith losing a prop to the bin.

Pocklington ramped up the pressure at five successive five metre scrums. Three times they shunted Penrith’s forwards back over their own line before, finally, Rees dived in at the base for the pushover. Wing Jonty Peters converted to put Pocklington ahead for the first time.

Penrith threw everything into a last quarter rally but found no way out of Pocklington’s defensive stranglehold.

Peters kicked a penalty to increase the lead then industrious lock Archie Fothergill led an unstoppable rolling maul that was heading for the line until Pock gave away a needless penalty. It was a let off for Penrith but Pocklington were determined not to allow them an escape route. More strong tackling, followed by cogent charges up the middle, brought another late Peters’ penalty to seal the result.

It was not just Pocklington’s players who rose to the occasion. Their travelling support also stepped up, with dozens of supporters making the long journey through difficult conditions on the A66 to Cumbria.