SEVENS specialists, the Quality Street Gang, have gone for 'local produce' as they attempt to take the North Ridings Festival by storm this weekend.

The York-based QSG have stolen the headlines in the past with their ability to attract the likes of international stars like Gavin Hastings and Joe Roff to play for them in the prestigious Dubai Sevens tournament.

However, chairman Ricky Richardson and his merry band of QSG members have opted to stay local for their assault on the £3,000 winners cheque at the Scarborough-based North Riding Sevens on Sunday.

Harrogate's James Tapster and York's Rob Kama will be the side's 'gasmen' while the likes of Malton duo Chris Creber and Willie Barber and ex Pocklington youth Chris Kendra, who is now at Otley, have accepted invited to play.

York player-coach Peter Curtis, formerly of Otley, could also be commandeered to play.

However, former Joseph Rowntree pupil Matthew Stockdale is unavailable due to his Yorkshire Under-20s commitments and Malton's free-scoring James McKay has family visiting from his native New Zealand so has had to decline the chance to play, while former York Colt James Black, now at Coventry, is playing in a charity sevens.

Another loss to the side is the withdrawal of former York youngster Marcus Smith, who has been a regular star of the QSG despite being stationed out in the Gulf. However, the flying back has been invited by former New Zealand legend Grant Batty to play in the Queensland League in Australia for Gold Coast.

Even on the coaching side, the Gang have been looking local with Otley supremo, and former York RI and Harrogate player and coach, Peter Clegg and York's Charlie Kama, who has successfully led the Army-backed Impalas over the past few seasons, in the hat for the job.

The tournament will see some of the top sevens sides from across the country descend on Scalby Road, with the Marauders, Samurai and the Crusaders all fancying their chances.

Richardson said: "This is a great tournament to enter and the prize money certainly cannot be sniffed at - it'd certainly help with our touring fund.

"But it will be no means be easy. There will be some tough opposition there with the Marauders and Samurai, as well as Wakefield."

The QSG will be taking a coach from Clifton Park, with those interested in cheering on the side asked to contact Richardson on 01904 488550. The coach will leave at 8.30am with places available at £10, but that will include entry.

Pocklington bring the curtain down on their season at Percy Road on Sunday when they take on a star-studded President's XV for the Roma Caravans Shield (kick-off 2pm).

The President's side has been drawn from clubs throughout the county - barring the odd exception - with many of the players having gained county, divisional or junior international honours, as well as having long standing links with Pocklington.

A busy weekend of representative rugby means the Pocklington and President's sides may well be subject to change depending on the Yorkshire matches.

The President's pack will, however, have Wakefield's ex-Harlequin lock Mick Watson, who will be looking to teach his protges a thing or two after coaching Pock this season.

Pocklington President's squad: G Hope (Hull Ionians), A Greig (Otley), J Stuart (Borders), B Thornton (Otley), N Gilbertson (Malton), D Clappsion (Otley), P Wright (Middlesbrough), P Ambler (York RI), J Ward (Hull), S Sellers (Selby), C Booth (Otley), M Watson (Wakefield), S Anderson (Hull), J Tilley (Stafford), R Wilson (Cleckheaton), P Williams (Otley), A Bean (Hull Ionians), A Wilson (Cleckheaton), J Spence (Rotherham), J Skurr (Wakefield).

Updated: 11:31 Friday, May 02, 2003