YORK'S League clash with Yarnbury may not have beaten the weather, but it did not stop the club from still getting in a game.

When the referee decided to call off the Yorkshire One tie because of a frozen pitch, the hosts could have been forgiven for heading straight for the bar.

But, this is a new era of rugby union - at every level - and York took up the opportunity to have a training match instead against their third XV.

With the travelling Yarnbury side, stranded at the club until their coach returned in the early evening, deciding the bar was the best place to be on a wintry afternoon, York took on York in a friendly battle of Clifton Park.

And almost inevitably it was the black shirts of the first team who left the field victorious eight tries to one, although the thirds did not disgrace themselves.

"The referee deemed the pitch was unplayable. It was much to the annoyance of both sides, who did want to play," said York coach Andy Gair.

"So we decided to have a first versus thirds game, while Yarnbury sat in the bar.

"The thirds competed well in driving play, although they were given some leeway in the offsides.

"However the first team backs cut through them. Billy (Cakadnitabola) and Rob Karma both played on the wings and they showed how dangerous they will be."

TWO members of Pocklington went one stage further in their bid to get their weekly fix of rugby union.

With all last week's Yorkshire rugby programme frozen off, Pock's rugby manager Tim Clappison and senior vice-president Tim Slater decided to grab a cheap flight to the south of France to take in the Perpignan-Llanelli and Beziers-Leeds European Cup and Shield games.

'Les deux Tims' have become well known in the Catalan region of south west France as they have organised two Pock' club tours to the area and have made several follow up trips.

On this visit they watched Perpignan's convincing win over Llanelli, before spending the evening with former Welsh international and TV commentator Eddie Butler in the bar, along with former French second-row JF Imbernon.

The next day saw the duo head to Beziers to watch Leeds claim a narrow victory, before being treated as celebrities by the host club officials.

Clappison also teamed up with former Unicorns team-mate, ex-Harrogate back row and England team doctor Terry Crystal, who now works at Leeds.

THE prodigal son returned home this week to give Selby the perfect boost in their bid to pull clear of the fight at the bottom of Yorkshire One.

After a less than auspicious move to Hull Ionians with former Sandhill Lane coach Steve Cruise, kicking sensation Carl Paterson has opted to revive his career at Selby.

The 23-year-old fly-half, who has Yorkshire honours at Under 19s and U21s level, decided to make the break from the North Two East side on Tuesday after failing to settle at the Elloughton club since joining at the end of June 2001.

And Selby team manager Richard Besley was overjoyed at the news.

"We talked to Carl over the Christmas period as we knew he wasn't settled at Hull Ionians," he told the Evening Press. "He told them on Tuesday of his intentions and we signed him up immediately.

"It was on my Christmas list to get him back and Santa certainly has delivered!"

Paterson, who will now compete with former Nottingham fly-half Nick Gregory for the No10 shirt, went straight in the squad for the today's clash against West Park Bramhope.

FORMER Harrogate scrum-half Martyn Wood has found himself facing a spell in the international wilderness after he was left out of the training squads for the England and England 'A' teams.

Wood, who is learning his trade at London Wasps under the guidance of fellow Yorkshire exile Nigel Melville, was part of the 1999 England World Cup squad and in the summer he toured North America, even scoring a try.

However, since then Wood has struggled to find a place in the squad - with Kyran Bracken, Matt Dawson and Austin Healey keeping him out.

But with Dawson set to miss the start of the Six Nations Championship injury and Healey handed a three-week ban, Wood had hoped to claw himself back into the reckoning.

However, the 24-year-old, who has two caps, has now found himself behind the uncapped quartet of Hall Charlton (Newcastle), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Nick Duncombe (Harlequins) and Nick Walshe (Saracens).

Bracken, who captained the tour to North America, looks likely to start the opening match against Scotland on February 2 after ousting Dawson in the battle for the No9 shirt during the autumn.

POCKLINGTON RUFC hold one of the highlights of their social calendar with their annual Founders Dinner in the clubhouse on Friday, January 18.

The event is held each year on the weekend nearest the original foundation of the club, and draws players from several eras for an annual reunion.

This year the main speakers are local raconteur Steve Angle, and former 1st XV captain and bon viveur Mickie Beard.

Anyone who has not already booked their place can do so by contacting David Jennings on (01759) 302324.

HARROGATE got a taste of the Premiership this week following a training session with Leeds Tykes coach Phil Davies.

Davies, who had 'Gate coach Ralph Zoing on his back-room staff before the record points scorer returned home to Claro Road, will make several trips to the club to help out with sessions.

Harrogate's trip to Orrell's Edgehall Road has been re-scheduled for March 2 while the home game with Esher will now be on February 16.

Updated: 13:46 Saturday, January 12, 2002