TABLE toppers Pocklington sneaked a 23-22 victory away at second placed West Hartlepool thanks to a last gasp penalty try and conversion.

Most pundits agreed that West Hartlepool deserved to win this North One East clash but, ultimately, their indiscipline proved costly.

Hartlepool had a player sin-binned, another sent off at the end of the first half, and two more yellow carded after the break.

Nevertheless, they went into added time leading 22-16 - despite being reduced to 13 men - after scoring three long range tries from their own 22.

Pocklington laid siege to the home line in the five minutes of stoppage time but were unable to force a score against a determined Hartlepool defence.

However, in the last minute, Pock had one more five metre scrum, Hartlepool infringed, and the referee awarded a penalty try which Matt Procter duly converted to gave his side a dramatic victory.

Fly half Procter had already kicked three penalties and converted a try from wing Tim Nixon, who was brought infield on the diagonal to crash over at the side of the posts.

But it was Hartlepool’s free-running backs that held sway, three times breaking clear from their own 22 for spectacular scores, before Pocklington somehow found a way to win at the death.

It was a bitter-sweet day for Pocklington.

As players and supporters met to travel to the game they were informed that the club’s record points scorer and loyal supporter, Billy Hardy, who had been due to take his usual seat on the bus, had died suddenly the night before.

Hardy, 67, was a leading local soccer player who played for Wilberfoss, Pocklington, and York City Reserves before deciding he wanted a new challenge and taking up rugby aged 28.