THERE is an old adage among some players - mainly the three-quarters - that the backs have brains while the forwards have the brawn.

Now, I only know this adage as my days were spent in the relatively safe climes of the wing or at full-back - and before the front row union gets together to draft their collective response, I also appreciate that forwards view the back division as a bunch of girls.

However, former York, Rowntrees and Pocklington second row Geoff Yeomans has proved he is one of the exceptions to the saying.

The spring-heeled Yeomans, who despite being just over 6ft tall could out-jump many off his rivals in the line out during his playing days, certainly didn't lack the brawn needed in the scrum's engine room, but he has now proved himself on the brains side.

The one-time Scotland Veterans player - he was roped into representing the Thistles at the Bermuda Classic Tournament despite his only connection with the country being he once went on holiday there - can count himself unlucky not to be a little bit richer after his appearance on cult BBC2 game-show The Weakest Link.

And while he lost out on the jackpot in the final, Yeomans, who now lives in his adopted 'homeland' of Scotland, enjoyed a moment of personal glory when he cut down the acid-tongued presenter, Anne Robinson.

Yeomans had given his occupation as an electrical engineer and when quizzed by Robinson on what was the supposed difference between that job title and an electrician, he answered: "About £7,000!"

The result, one smug second row forward and one sheepish looking presenter.

Malton and Norton seem to be bucking the trend when it comes to attracting young players by bringing their youth section and seniors closer together.

When many experts claim communication between the younger generation and the seniors is one of the reasons for the loss of juniors from the game, Malton have taken the steps of amalgamating the two age groups at an earlier stage.

The club's 17 and 18-year-olds now train with the senior players on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have built up an established presence in the second team.

And the Gannock-based club are also reaping the rewards at first team level, with the average age of their front row now just 21 - something which is being mirrored throughout the side.

IT is all change for York-based coach Colin Clark following the surprise exit of Paul 'Stan' Matthews from Wetherby RUFC.

Clark, who begins coaching the York St John's College rugby teams on Monday, is now set to combine this role with a new post at Wetherby.

Clark had acted as assistant to Matthews at the Grange Park club, but he will now share the duties with Dave Maycock.

As reported in this column last week, Matthews had been lined up to take over the reins at York RI, only to turn down the offer to join the Leeds Tykes Under-21 coaching set-up.

POCKLINGTON'S Under-14s and Under-15s have shown the future at Percy Road is bright.

The boys went, saw and conquered all before them at the East Coast Tens Tournament at Bridlington.

The U15s got off to a slow start with a 0-0 draw against Malton and Norton, but they quickly stepped up a gear with victories over York (5-0) and Grimsby 'B' (25-0), earning them a place in the final.

And the juniors maintained their momentum with a 15-5 win over Grimsby 'A' to take the title.

Bridlington 'B' (25-0), Scarborough (10-5) and Bridlington 'A' (30-0) were all put to the sword by the U14s, but the Pock kids needed a sudden-death try from Mark Stringer for a 15-10 final victory over Beverley.

Pock's Rainer Iveson was the U14s' player of the tournament.

TADCASTER-born Irish internationals Simon and Guy Easterby will have put their 2003 World Cup qualification on the line today.

The Llanelli-based duo, who went to Ampleforth College, both got a taste of the action as Ireland put in a solid display to beat Russia 35-3 in their first qualifier last Saturday.

Back-rower Simon started the match, with Guy replacing Peter Stringer at scrum-half in the second period.

The win meant the Emerald Isle faced Georgia at Lansdowne Road today with the winners qualifying by right for the World Cup finals in Australia.

CONGRATULATIONS to Harrogate stalwart Peter Taylor, who completed his double century against Henley last Saturday.

The RAF lock, an expert line out jumper, has been the rock which the Harrogate pack has been built around over the years with his dynamic displays seeing him capped by Yorkshire.

Even when his commitments to the RAF saw him move down to London Taylor still remained loyal to Harrogate - travelling back for games.

And this has allowed 'Tayls' to became the first member of the club to rack up 200 league games.

Team-mates Mark Farrar and John Dudley are also in the '200 Club', but they have played for other teams.

Farrar has completed a century of appearances for both Otley and Harrogate, while Dudley has made the majority of his games with Rotherham.

Taylor has been an invaluable member of the Gate squad, with the colourful pack star also having the ability to kick goals in his armoury.

In fact, Taylor's last-minute pressure kick against Morley in the 1998/99 season gave Harrogate a crucial win over the side they were fighting against to avoid relegation.

Harrogate went on to avoid the drop and have since gone from strength to strength, while Morley have never quite recovered.

Updated: 10:06 Saturday, September 28, 2002