POCKLINGTON RUFC ensured the North One East campaign went down to the final whistle as they lost 26-24 at Bridlington, who had to win to have any hope of staying up.

Brid's effort was ultimately fruitless as other results went against them, but Pocklington's two losing bonus points were enough to lift them a place to ninth in the final league table.

It was a see-saw encounter. After going behind early on Pock dominated the second quarter and led 14-5 at the interval.

Brid had to throw everything into a second-half rally to pull ahead, and this they did. Pocklington's stronger finish still meant they had a late conversion kick to draw the game - but it slid a foot wide to leave Brid breathless winners and look in vain for the rest of the day's results.

Pocklington's young side could do little right in the opening exchanges. Four successive penalties put Bridlington five yards from Pock's line and a catch-and-drive try gave them a seventh-minute lead.

Pock's first attack became a five-minute bombardment of the home line. The backs probed left and right, locks Archie Fothergill and Josh Papa had a batter up the middle, then three players were stopped within a yard of the line before scrum-half James Thompson stretched over in the left corner. Christian Pollock converted from the touchline.

Another Pocklington attack was cut short and two more penalties to Bridlington took them to the other end. This time Pock held firm and moved back upfield and, as the tide turned, the next two penalties went Pock's way.

Pollock hit the first wide and choosing a close-range penalty scrum with the second was just as fruitless. Nevertheless they held the position, drove a lineout, Thompson peeled round the tail and, although wrapped up in a two-man tackle, he managed to offload out of the back of his hand for centre Joe Holbrough to power under the posts, Pollock converting.

Tighthead prop Kym Russell put in a marvellous shift at scrum time and in the loose, and Pock went into the break looking good.

Bridlington had to give it everything on the restart and did so. They began to get their big carriers running and, as they started to lead a series of home charges, Pocklington began falling off tackles.

The result was Brid edging 19-14 ahead with two quick-fire tries to suddenly lift the spirits of players and crowd.

Pocklington had been on the back foot and hanging on but eventually got their chance to move upfield again. Replacement Alex Todd athletically reclaimed the kick-off, and after Pock had pressed on the left they swung the ball right. Michael Gilbank, having tracked across from the opposite flank, made the extra man and slipped the ball to fellow wing David Davison to plunge over at the flag, the conversion putting the visitors back ahead.

Bridlington were stung into response, and their strong runners again made headway up the middle before smashing through for another converted try and a 26-19 lead with the game slipping into stoppage time.

The late drama ramped up. Pock full-back Jed Jackson charged down a clearance, Holbrough and prop Chris Morton both made strong breaks, and the visitors had a series of bashes for the line. Finally Thomson twisted and wriggled over for his second try.

That gave Pollock the chance to level matters with the kick from 10 yards to the side of the posts but he put it wide and left Bridlington with the bittersweet experience of winning and relegation.