POCKLINGTON RUFC put in another big defensive performance at home to Kirkby Lonsdale, but again it was not quite enough as they lost 17-10.

Though they tackled themselves to a standstill throughout, the key moment was a lapse in the 10th minute when the Kirkby back-row was allowed to come through the middle of a home ruck, steal the ball and stroll over for the opening score.

Thereafter the hosts were playing catch-up and, while they often looked like overhauling their opponents, the Cumbrians held out.

There was still much to applaud from Pock's young and inexperienced line-up, which gives encouragement for next season. That will almost certainly be back in North Two East with relegation from North Premier now a virtual certainty.

Pocklington had not originally been down to have a fixture, so a clutch of players were unavailable for this rearranged clash.

The team were particularly light in the threequarters and drafted in a quartet of students for a back line with an average age of 21.

Against them, Kirkby Lonsdale had a mix of youth and experience, including a couple of Cumbria county caps and an ex-Premiership centre.

After their early hiccup, Pocklington's defence regrouped to become the game's salient feature.

With the wind, Kirkby piled on the pressure, aided by a plethora of penalties near the home line, but the visitors were smashed back time and again by Pock tacklers.

The hosts held firm and had a solid scrum base for returning number eight Andy Little to get them on the front front with a series of meaty charges.

Young backs Jonty Peters and Jack Walters also made strong breaks as Pock moved upfield and onto the offensive.

However, a Kirkby hand deflected a promising movement - and the Cumbrians broke to the other end to make it 10-0 with a penalty.

Full-back Tom Richardson's pace lifted home hopes with a 40-yard break before the interval, but Kirkby made a lively start to the second period which required more committed Pock tackling to keep them at bay.

Nevertheless, a good kick-chase from a long clearance pinned Kirkby in their own 22, Jack Holbrough's hit turned the ball over and Owen Jackson fed scrum-half David Davison ,who scampered clear to the line, Christian Pollock converting. Pock came straight back with muscular pick-and-go tactics to win a penalty and Pollock made it 10-10.

However, having worked so hard to get back on terms, Pock lost the ball from a catch and drive a yard from the line. Then a sloppy home pass in midfield gave the initiative back to the Cumbrians and they moved the ball right then left for a converted try inside the final quarter.

Pocklington threw everything at regaining parity and looked to have found a breakthrough on a couple of occasions, but Kirkby's experienced men helped them run down the clock to hold out for victory.