Round-Up: Pontefract close to toppling leaders

NORTH ONE EAST

Percy park 24

Pontefract gave the league leaders quite a fright and picked up a well-deserved bonus point.,

The home side had the better of the first half despite conceding an early five points and went on to lead at half-time.

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The two sides were level on 16 minutes when No 8 Mike Burnett was able to score following a rumbling forward drive that had travelled 30 metres.

The parity remained until just before the interval when Andy Dean slotted a penalty to put Pontefract deservedly in front.

However, the wheels came off in the first 10 minutes of the second half for Pontefract as they conceded two converted tries in the space of just seven minutes.

Despite trying to claw their way back, the hosts looked down and out, especially when they conceded a further score with just eight minutes remaining to go 24-8 down.

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However, with three minutes to go, winger Simon Spears was set free to dive over, Dean converting to make it 24-15.

And, with stoppage-time fast approaching, a turnover of possession in their own 22 saw Michael Bateman break clear. He found Shane Simpson, who, in turn, freed to Dean to race over. He was unable to add the conversion otherwise the remaining three minutes of stoppage time might have proved even more tense.

Northumbria 28

Old Crossleyans 23

Crossleyans travelled north with some trepidation to face one of the form teams while their own consistency has been patchy but ended disappointed to have let a lead slip to a late flourish.

Despite going behind to a penalty, Crossleyans dominated the early exchanges and deserved to go ahead when prop Rory Davies finished off some fine work by the pack. The try was converted by Chris Jones and he was again on hand to cancel out the home side's second penalty.

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Northumbria again kicked themselves within a point but, in first half stoppage-time, Kiwi Dan Temm produced a powerful break, brushing aside three tackles before putting Jones over. The successful conversion turned Crossleyans round 17-9 in front.

Crossleyans came under consistent pressure after the break and conceded two tries but managed to keep their noses ahead thanks to Neil Richardson's drop goal and Jones's penalty.

But with time running out, the hosts grabbed the all-important final try and this time Crossleyans could not find a reply.

Driffield 24

Durham City 26

DRIFFIELD's battle against relegation took another knock when they narrowly lost a match that once again they could and should have won.

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The East Yorkshire side dominated for long periods and they certainly enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges with stand-off Tom Wright scoring after just two minutes and full-back Lee Birch adding the conversion.

Hooker Damian Byrne scored out wide after 12 minutes to put Driffield 12-0 ahead, and although Durham City hit back with a converted try, Lee Birch scored and converted shortly after to put his side 19-7 ahead.

The North East side added another converted try just before the break to make it 19-14, and pulled level with a third try to make it 19-19 on 50 minutes.

On the hour mark, they edged in front of Driffield with a converted try, but when the home side finally added a try on 71 minutes through right winger San Furbank, hopes were high of at least sharing the spoils.

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But a difficult conversion went just wide, and Driffield had to settle for claiming two losing bonus points.

West Hartlepool 34

Old Brodleians 0

Brodleians slipped to a third successive defeat even though the scoreline flattered the division's second-placed club.

The home side ran in two unconverted tries to lead 10-0 at the break.

A penalty miss by the visitors just after half-time added to the frustration and that was compounded on the hour when, after having hauled themselves back into the game in terms of possession, Brodleianss were caught out by an interception try which put them 15-0 behind.

A close-range fourth score from a scrum left the visitors with no choice but to chase the game but in doing so, the home side went on to score two converted tries.

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