POCKLINGTON RUFC have capped a stunning season by being voted the British Isles' Team of the Year by Rugby World magazine.

The honour follows a tremendous term which saw them finish with record-breaking statistics of 34 wins and one draw from 36 games, scoring a total of 1,256 points - 340 more than their previous best - in the process.

Such form saw them win the tough North East Division Two championship by nine points and complete the double by lifting the Yorkshire Shield after a memorable final in April. They also enjoyed five victories against opponents from higher up the league structure.

Their successes thus put them in the running for this Team of the Year award, against stiff opposition from throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. And although some similarly successful clubs enjoyed 100 per cent or unbeaten records, Pocklington still managed to take the vote.

Rugby World deputy editor Alan Pearey said: "At least a dozen clubs who had outstanding seasons were in the frame, but what impressed the panel about Pocklington was that their success was an all-round effort from a team of local players who performed at the height of their powers from first game to last."

Club chairman Phil Gilbank added that their success came from a team-work ethic rather than a reliance on individuals.

"What tipped the balance in our favour was the fact we didn't have any Antipodean or Southern Hemisphere players that other teams relied on," he said.

"All our players come from Pocklington or East Yorkshire."

Three-quarters of the players came through the junior set-up and several have never been to another club - including full-back Mark Taylor who has played 22 consecutive seasons with Pocklington's first XV.

Furthermore, while the scoring charts were topped by wing Ben Connolly with 28 tries in all games and goal-kicking player-coach Gary Pearce with 347 points, Pocklington had six players notch double-figure hauls of tries. In all, their 168 tries were spread around 15 forwards and 15 backs.

After hearing of this latest success, Pocklington Town Mayor Rowan Blake James has lauded his own praise onto the club. "It's something to be very excited about and the town council will be organising a proper celebration later in the year," he said.

"The chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council has also offered to pay for half the cost of the celebrations. Everyone is delighted because it's a remarkable achievement."

Along with the Rugby World Team of the Year trophy, the club were presented with 200 cans of Tetley's Bitter to help them celebrate.

Their big task now is to emulate that success in the coming season, for which training starts at Percy Road on Tuesday, July 4 at 7pm.