Selby have been crowned the York Veteran champions for the second successive season following their unbeaten run at this season's tournament.

Victories over Old Brods (8-5), York RI/Police (15-0) and hosts York (19-5) saw Selby go through to the final, where they faced their first opponents in Old Brods.

Another close affair between the two sides ensued, with the scores level at 7-7 at the final whistle. However, Selby were declared the overall winners having had the edge in the group games.

Pat's final legacy

PAT Stephenson has handed over the reins at Malton and Norton to Richard John after three years of unprecedented success for the Gannock club.

Under Stephenson's stewardship, Malton have enjoyed back-to-back promotions and an unforgettable trip to Twickenham where they won the Tetley's Junior Vase.

However, an increase in workload as the world of farming gets back on its feet after the foot-and-mouth crisis, Stephenson has gradually been cutting down on his rugby allowing John to come through, with the popular coach announcing at the start of the season his intention to quit after one more year.

The players ensured though that the father-figure went out on a top note, by clinching promotion to Yorkshire One and then giving him a send-off to remember.

"We had a few drinks and left the club at closing time, then went on and on and on and on...," Stephenson, who has finally shaken off the hang-over, told Scrum Down. "I think I finally got to bed about 5am, but then I still didn't get home as I stayed at the skipper's (Chris Creber) house. Sunday was a very long day."

The social side of the club will now play the larger part of Stephenson's rugby life and he is expected to take up the post as club chairman after Malton's annual meeting, although he won't be leaving his successor in the lurch.

"We've been planning this for a rolling 15 months," said Stephenson. "Richard has been doing a lot more of the coaching side, while I've been in charge of the game planning and motivational side.

"Now I can enjoy my beer drinking. I'll still help with the forwards and cover for Richard when he can't make it, I'm not just going to desert him, but I suppose I'll become one of those men who shouts loads from the touchline without knowing too much about what's going on."

Despite his obvious role in Malton's success, Stephenson remains ever-modest about it all.

"It has been a fantastic three years of unprecedented success but I was just the right man in the right place at the right time," he added. "We had a lot of good, young players coming through, who were full of enthusiasm, and the club was reorganising itself. I was just lucky to be the man in charge of it all."

Secretary Bill Laidler added: "There was the nucleus of our colts team there when Pat took over and he has definitely brought the majority of them on. He is a very good man manager.

"He has had a very good loyal squad and I'm sure that will stay with Pat remaining at the club and involved."

Leading from the front

YORK hooker Thomas Bewick has enjoyed a successful reign as skipper of Yorkshire Under-15s having guided the White Rose juniors to three wins in four matches.

Bewick, along with York team-mate Chris Woolley, made their Yorkshire debuts in the warm-up match against Doncaster U15, one of the strongest club sides in the county.

Both boys bagged a try each to get their county careers off to a good start, with Yorkshire comfortably winning 48-24.

The first county opposition were Cheshire, who provided a tough test at Heath with Yorkshire just shading the tie 17-15 in a close, tense affair.

Next up was the Roses clash against Lancashire, which Yorkshire were deserved 28-14 winners, with the York pair in fine fettle and featuring in all the White Rose's scoring successes.

But the county version of the Grand Slam was denied by a well-drilled Warwickshire Schools side at Nuneaton, with the hosts winning 20-0.

Early Yorkshire pressure could not produce a score, Woolley being denied a try when he was tackled just short of the line.

POCKLINGTON youngster Rob Webber retained his place in the England Schools Under-18s side for today's match against Ireland in Dublin.

The 16-year-old hooker put in another superb display that belied his age as England looked to follow up their opening win against the French with victory over Wales but lost 27-25 to the boys from the Principality.

Doncaster's Eves-dropping at Pock

THE hard-nose of professional rugby union was on show at Pocklington on Tuesday night when Doncaster player-coach Derek Eves threatened to lead his side off during their 76-5 win in the Yorkshire Cup.

The National Two professionals were 26-0 up and looking comfortable but after having one player sin-binned and another red-carded, Eves was ready to take his 'bat and ball' home and had words with the referee.

But Eves and his players did not really have an argument with both incidents witnessed and brought to the referee's attention by the touch judges. And being a Yorkshire Cup game, the flag-men were independently appointed by the county RFU.

YORK RI are confident they can keep coach Chris Leathley at the club for next season.

The Railwaymen have been impressed with the effect Leathley has had on the side since taking up the coaching role in November and they are keen for him to keep the improvements going next season.

The former Morley supremo had said when he took over he would review his position at the end of the season, having returned to rugby after a spell away, but the noises coming from New Lane are encouraging.

Team manager Nigel Lowery told Scrum Down: "I'm sure Chris will stay with us. He has already been speaking about his plans for next year.

"He will be sitting down with our chairman of rugby Kevin Hollinrake prior to our AGM with next season in mind.

"We hope he will stay as he has done an excellent job. He has instilled a structure and the lads all respect him. We have been very lucky to have him."

YORKSHIRE are on the verge of a date at Twickenham after beating East Midlands 52-20 in the quarter-finals of the Tetley's National Under-20s County Championship.

They now face Cornwall in the semi-final on the weekend of May 3/4, with the other tie being between North Midlands and Oxfordshire.

Yorkshire extended their four-match unbeaten run with an improved performance and a comprehensive victory at Bedford, with former Joseph Rowntree pupil Matthew Stockdale and Harrogate centre Richard Davies getting themselves among the scorers.

Stockdale also came in for special praise, along with former St Peter's pupil and fellow flanker Richard Pike, for some first-class back-row play.

ANOTHER of St Peter's top young players, Thomas Woolsey, starred in the 19-7 victory over the Welsh in their Under-16s international at Devonport Services.

England skipper Sam Stitcher, who was playing on the opposite flank to Woolsey, finished off a back row move from a scrum to score England's only try at the Plymouth ground.

David Doherty converted the try and added four penalties to secure victory. Wales' points came from a try by left-wing Tom Stevens which full-back Lee Bevan converted.

England were facing Italy U17s today.

Updated: 11:46 Saturday, April 19, 2003