DESPITE a hat-trick of tries from speed machine Rob Kama York Rugby Union Club stumbled to a 20-19 defeat at Durham and Northumberland League one hosts Ponteland.

York led 19-7 five minutes into the second half after Kama's second treble in as many weeks. But the Northumberland-based club would not buckle and their all-commitment to victory earned them a merited maximum reward.

Tom Copeland missed an early penalty for York, but from the 22 re-start left-winger Kama collected and threaded his way back under the posts. Copeland added the extras.

York started to play expansively, but a midfield mess after 15 minutes allowed Ponteland scrum-half Andy Raine to race clear. Fly half Andy Jacques kicked the conversion to level.

But York countered as productively. Sam Arkle worked the ball to right-winger Mark McDaid only for the jinking flier to be held up over the line.

But then after a robust foray from No8 Ian Davies a long pass from centre Nick Ventress saw Copeland come into the line. He put Kama clear to cross for the second time. Copeland was unable to convert, but York had a 12-7 half-time lead.

That increased five minutes into the second half when Kama snapped up a wild pass at speed and left the home defence spread-eagled. Copeland put on the extra point.

But the burst appeared to give York the signal to relax and that proved decisive. Ponteland centre Tim Riley broke through a flabby defence to put flanker Olly Hughes in under the posts, Jacques adding the conversion.

Jacques narrowed the score to 19-17 with a penalty for offside and after another similar offence the Jacques' boot put the hosts ahead with 12 minutes left.

York went close through Ventress and Kama, the latter hauled down short, leaving the Clifton Parkers to ensure they topple next week's visitors Northern with whom they stand on the same points total if they are to re-ignite their promotion fire.

Updated: 10:48 Monday, February 21, 2005