A BUMPER crowd defied the Easter holiday traffic to converge on Percy Road for the 44th annual John Smith's Pocklington Sevens on Good Friday.

More than 2,000 turned up to watch a feast of running rugby, as well as enjoying the odd alcoholic tipple.

And although the club did sell out of its 1,600 programmes, they were left with the odd burger and just enough beer to see them through the weekend.

Pocklington's former first XV skipper, Micky Beard provided the entertainment in the Guinness tent with his own brand of singing and guitar playing - although he was left slightly upset when someone pulled the plug on his performance late on in the day.

There was no escaping playing for some people with former Lions legend John Bentley and Harrogate's marauding back rower John Dudley roped into playing for Ipswich.

In fact, Dudley made his presence felt by crunching his former Rotherham team-mate Terry Garnett - who was making his comeback after 18 months out with a neck injury - in the match against Hull.

THE Easter holiday has marked a sensational England double for Pocklington RUFC's junior ranks.

Prop Rob Webber and full-back Charlie Allen have been educated in the Pock way, but they showed off their true class as they picked up their shirts for the England Under-16s.

Webber impressed in the 71-7 victory over Italy and then the 17-10 win over Wales, while Allen caught the eye as a last drop goal saw the 'A' team lose 15-14 to the Welsh 'A'.

And the pair, who have played together at Percy Road since they were six - under the guidance of coach Alan 'Pud' Greenwood - will now head across to Widnes next weekend for a double-header against the Welsh.

Webber, who goes to Pocklington School, and Woldgate School pupil Allen follow in the footsteps of Nigel Brittland, Scott Hill, Jon Stuart, Dan Clappison and Henry Mitchell to progress through the Percy Road junior ranks to gain international honours.

But the pair have also bettered the achievements of all their brothers - who have all represented their county, but not their country. Fifteen-year-old Rob's brother is Matthew, while Charlie, 16, has been influenced by siblings Sam, George and Harry.

The aim now is to get all six to turn out for the same side - hopefully at the Pock Sevens.

HOT on the heels of the Pocklington Sevens comes the third annual York Veterans Festival, which will be held at Clifton Park on April 14.

The competition for players entering the twilight years of their careers has proved a big success and this season's is expected to be no different.

There is a strong local feel to the event with Selby, York RI, North Yorkshire Police and the Unicorns - a side from the Golden Ball, York - gearing up to take on the host club.

Completing the field of entries will be Sandal, Northallerton and Driffield.

The event starts with two pools of four, with games played over ten minutes each way. The top two from each pool will progress to the cup competition, while the bottom two will get a second bite of the cherry in the plate.

Action kicks-off at 11.30am with the finals scheduled for 3pm onwards.

As well as a feast of quality rugby, there will be food and drinks available at Clifton Park throughout the day.

Pool A: North Yorkshire Police, Sandal, York, Unicorns.

Pool B: Selby, Unicorns, York RI, Northallerton.

PLAYERS from York RUFC will have a training session with a difference this Tuesday.

Instead of their regular session at Clifton Park, the squad will help demonstrate the SAQ training system to coaches and teachers from across the area at Archbishop Holgate's School.

The training scheme - which has become the central speed conditioning programme for the RFU development and performance squads - will be demonstrated using the York players as props.

SELBY'S 42-man expedition to Malta went by with the entire squad making it back in one piece.

The club's tour to the Mediterranean did have the odd complication though - especially when 4,000 Americans, including the 2,800 crew and Marines from the USS Bataan amphibious assault boat, stationed on the island were left confused when spotting the Selby squad wandering along in their ceremonial tour gear of Popeye outfits.

However, once the reason behind the clothing was explained, Selby were handed an unexpected tour of the vessel before returning to their unofficial tour home of the bar.

On the playing front, the Sandhill Laners were never really tested, winning their games comfortably, although one player - who will remain unnamed for legal reasons - found the whole experience just too much.

Mr X had spent the entire game against The Venetial Barbarians baiting the opposition only to then be sick on the sidelines, much to the amusement of the Maltese.

Updated: 12:08 Saturday, April 06, 2002