THE William Webb Ellis Trophy made a flying visit to Malton and Norton RUFC yesterday - literally.

The rugby union World Cup, which England skipper Martin Johnson so memorably hoisted aloft into the Sydney skies last November, was flown to the club's base at The Gannock by helicopter.

The glittering prize was displayed for a couple of hours before moving on to Hull as part of its tour of the country.

The event, which was sponsored by John Hawkins of Specialist cars, attracted bumper crowds.

Fans eager to espy the prime spoils of last year's World Cup queued outside the clubhouse in Old Malton Road in sweltering temperatures to get a rare glimpse of the golden prize.

Earlier this year, the coveted trophy appeared in York when it was brought to York RUFC's Clifton Park headquarters as part of its nationwide tour in the wake of the World Cup conquest.

Updated: 10:15 Saturday, August 07, 2004