PONTELAND had to be at their defensive best to hold on and record back-to-back wins for the first time this season.

Leadind 15-3 until 10 minutes to go, some brave defending prevented hosts Medicals clawing their way back as they ended as victors by five points.

Ponteland came racing out of the traps and went through 14 phases from the kick off before receiving a penalty, and they kept driving on with Chris Searle making one of the many turn overs in the game and Probert went on a probing run.

The pressure finally told as Michael Searle got the scoreboard ticking with an easy penalty.

They continued to put the pressure on through a series of pens but were punished when one failed to find touch, a quick counter attack allowing Medicals to earn a penalty which was sent over for 3-3.

Yet the home side continued to infringe and were reduced to 14 men courtesy of a yellow card, Ponteland taking advantage as Lee Coulthard stole the ball in the loose and, after a number of penalties five metres out, the referee lost patience and awarded a penalty try, successfully converted by Searle.

Pont continued asking the questions as Probert and Jonny Livingstone-Evans made inroads, and Craig Robinson claimed the second try of the game as he scattered through after a scrum.

Looking well in control with a 12 point advantage with 10 minutes to go and with a scrum 10 metres from the try line, the pendulum sung as the ball was hooked back by the Medicals flanker and it set up an attack as the hosts swept downfield for a converted try to reduce the gap to five points.

Medicals threw everything at their guests in the final exchanges but Pont were courageous in the tackle, a bone cruncher from Robinson epitomising their performance.