ANTHONY Phillips made a triumphant return to East Yorkshire with his London-based side, the Prowling Pretenders, to win the 46th John Smith's Pocklington Sevens at the fifth attempt.

Phillips, who grew up locally, got a side together five years ago as part of his 21st birthday celebrations.

They enjoyed themselves so much that they have come back every year since, improving each year along the way.

This time they were deserved winners of the Fowler Trophy in front of a bumper 2,500 crowd, beating Driffield narrowly 17-10, putting out favourites Ronin Impact 17-7 in an epic quarter-final before winning 25-7 against Fijian-packed German visitors Gutersloh to reach the final.

Thete they met Malton and Norton who had battled their way to the final for the second year running with victories over Harrogate (21-7), York RI (17- 0) and Brookfield (26-7).

In the final, the Prowling Pretenders established an early lead. But in an end-to-end game, Malton and Norton hung in before scoring two second half tries to get back in contention and give the Prowling Pretenders some anxious moments.

In the Plate Competition, Knottingley, last year's late runners-up, went one better this time beating Birmingham Sportex 34-12 in the final.

Pocklington Sevens

Main tournament

First round: Hull Colts 7, Brookfield 20; Old Pocklingtonians 0, Borough Road 33; York RI 26, Bridlington 10; Ipswich 12, Harrogate 31; South Asia Bulls 5, Gutersloh 34; Knottingley 17, Goole 22; Driffield 53, Marist 0.

Second round: Birmingham Sportex 10, Brookfield 28; Hull 28, Borough Road 17; Malton and Norton 21, Harrogate 7; Pocklington 7, Gutersloh 29; Beverley 20, Goole 10; Prowling Pretenders 17, Driffield 10; Ronin Impact 24, Selby 17.

Quarter-final: Brookfield 19, Hull 0; York RI 10, Malton and Norton 17; Gutersloh 28, Beverley 12; Prowling Pretenders 17, Ronin Impact 7.

Semi-final: Brookfield 7, Malton and Norton 26; Gutersloh 7, Prowling Pretenders 25.

Final: Prowling Pretenders 33, Malton and Norton 24.

Plate competition

Quarter-final: Hull Colts 12, Birmingham Sportex 25; Bridlington 5, Ipswich 29; Knottingley 26, Pocklington 5; Marist 0, Selby 34.

Semi-final: Birmingham Sportex 21, Ipswich 15; Knottingley 12, Selby 7.

Final: Birmingham Sportex 12, Knottingley 34.

Updated: 10:38 Saturday, April 10, 2004