Penrith would be disappointed with their defeat at next-to-bottom Stoke at the weekend and they would also disappointed with their performance when, after a dismal start, they got themselves into a winning position only to let it slip.
This is the second time they have been beaten in the final play of the game after a two-and-a-half hour-plus coach journey – the first being at Newport (Salop) in September.
This game, which ended 47-45, had a very end of season feel to it with the two sides sharing 14 tries and both looking far more interested in attacking than defending, one successful conversion was the only difference between them at the final count.
Penrith’s forwards had much the better of things, especially at the set scrums although the home side’s lineouts were near perfect, Stokes three quarters were effective and gave their Cumbrian opposite numbers a difficult afternoon, in particular, when they got the ball wide.
The visitors couldn’t have made a much worse start, 14 points down inside seven minutes mainly down to lacklustre defending.
The game was end to end all afternoon and Penrith got back into the game after Scott Lancaster won turn over ball on half way.
They then made progress up the left wing before the forwards took over, Joe Kirkup broke into the 22 and the ball was driven to the line before Lancaster finished the move himself bursting through the defensive line.
The topsy turvy nature of the game continued, Stoke scored a third try before Sam Wilson forced his way over in the corner following a period of sustained Cumbrian pressure.
Just before half time Kirkup added a third try for the visitors after their pack had driven the home forwards off their own scrum ball on their 22.
There was still time for the home side to add their fourth try on the stroke of half time after a penalty kicked to the corner and an attacking lineout.
The visitors trailed 26-17 as they turned round for the second half and soon made inroads into the deficit. In the first minute of the second period Archie Rattray received a quick throw at the front of the lineout 30m out, shrugged off the first two tacklers and stepped inside the full back to score.
Five minutes later Penrith were awarded a penalty after they drove the home forwards off their own ball on their 22, it was quickly taken and the home line was under threat, after a number of attempted drives for the line Adam Howe was on hand to barge over.
Penrith again got good possession after again driving the home pack off their own scrum ball, after a number of phases Mike Fearon’s pop pass set Wilson away who powered through the last defender to score, they now led 38-26 with 25 minutes to go and should have been able to ease themselves to an away win from there.
Stoke however, despite their lowly league position, have scored freely all season. They came back at the visitors when they might have wilted and scored two converted tries down their right flank to lead by two.
Penrith then got their noses back in front opting for a scrum following a penalty award 15m out, their dominant pack inched forward towards the line, another penalty was awarded then Wilson broke from No8, he almost made the the line but Rattray was there to pick and the ball and claim the try.
The visitors had a second chance to see out the game and were well on the way to doing it controlling the play in the home half, they naively started to concede unnecessary penalties, they were then defending in their own half, then on their 22 and then had to defend 5m lineouts.
They successfully defended two but not to the liking of the referee and further penalties was awarded.
By this time the game was deep into stoppage time and Stoke worked their third lineout and levelled the scores at 45 apiece.
The driven maul had come infield and the conversion was a simple one and the whole Stoke contingent madly celebrated only their fourth win of the season when the kick went over.
