THERE was disappointment all round when Pocklington's Boxing Day encounter with Old Pocklingtonians was called off due to a frozen pitch.

But while there was no action on the field of play, the day maintained its standing as an annual reunion that attracts players from across Britain and Europe back to Percy Park.

There were the usual handful of former locals who had flown home from abroad for Christmas, while those from across Britain who turned up for the day included three players who had come through both school and club ranks in recent years to win junior international honours.

Scotland 'A' centre Jon Stuart, who now plays for Glasgow Warriors, joined up with his former schoolmate and ex-England Colts fly-half Dan Clappison, who is now at London Welsh after a spell at Otley.

Newcastle Falcons and England Schools centre Sandy Mitchell was also at Percy Road, along with Chris Kendra, who is currently in the Premiership with Leeds Tykes.

Although there was no game, the Bottomley Trophy - the prize for the clash between the two first XVs - was competed for in impromptu fashion in the clubhouse thanks to another rugby social tradition - with Pock' comfortably winning the 'boat race' against the old boys to claim the trophy.

Updated: 10:50 Saturday, December 29, 2001