By DAVID COULTER

Last updated at 08:06, Wednesday, 13 March 2013

PONTELAND held on to heap more pressure on relegation threatened Blyth in a real ding dong battle.

A late try from the home side was not enough to gain more than the two points they ended with, Pont just edging the end-to-end encounter.

It was not long before Pont had the upper hand, Craig Robinson breaking blind to score after four minutes.

Blyth continued to battle and a good spell saw them pick and drive to see them scramble over to level.

Immediately from the kick off, Pont again moved wide with great hands by James Shiells putting Mark McGookin in to score, Michael Mullins converting for 12-5.

It remained like that until five minutes into the second half, Pont losing the lineout 10 metres out for Blyth to again peg their guests back.

Yet Ponteland’s noses were back in front soon after, Pete Newbigin spotting an unguarded blind side and scampering in to score. Mullins converted.

The kick off was taken well by Lee Coulthard and smashed up by McGookin, only to be brought back for a penalty for blocking by Chris Freer. Blyth battered away and scored to make it 19-19.

Ponteland cranked the pressure up a notch and it paid off with a Mullins penalty putting them three points clear.

Then Robinson was again on the scoresheet following a big drive for a 10 point cushion.

Blyth fought back to make the score 29-26 in Ponteland’s favour.

First published at 07:37, Wednesday, 13 March 2013
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk