A FIERCE but friendly rivalry is brewing on the volleyball courts of York.

Yorkshire Ladies Premier League novices Pocklington have already set themselves a goal for the new season - to get one over near neighbours York.

But while York Ladies are Yorkshire league veterans - and triple champions between 1998 and 2000 - Pock' are comparative beginners, having been formed little more than a year ago out of mixed volleyball nights at the Pocklington Sports Centre during 1999.

Nevertheless they enjoyed a fine first season of league action last term, finishing a creditable fourth in the table - one place behind York.

Pock' spokesman Gordon Fallowfield said: "It was our first-ever season last year and we were delighted with how we did. Our aims now are to improve on that - and beat York.

"There is a friendly rivalry between the two clubs, though we do like to help each other out when we can. We really want to promote the two clubs and the sport in general."

He added: "Both ourselves and York had players picked for representative sides last year. The standard around here is very good.

"I think the players from both teams would not disgrace themselves in the National Volleyball League set-up, but to compete in that would take quite a commitment from clubs in terms of time and finances."

Both clubs now have title aspirations and to help get ready for the new campaign, the local rivals met in a pre-season friendly at Pocklington's 'home' arena, which happens to be in York, at the MacMillan Sports Hall at York Tech on Tadcaster Road.

York won the game 3-1, but Fallowfield said: "The idea was to use it as training to get people used to games again.

"It was a friendly encounter to get both teams into the swing of things."

The warm-up seemed to help both sides as they went on to register victories in their opening games, York enjoying a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Leeds Juniors, while Pock' came from behind to beat Leeds Ladies 3-2.

However, Fallowfield admitted his side had work to do if they were to hit their goal of overturning their near-neighbours.

"We need a bit more work to improve and build confidence," he said after their 25-17 17-25 21-25 25-23 15-10 win on Thursday.

"We went to pieces in the second and third sets against Leeds and it was only by digging deep that we won, with Lesley Gamble and Victoria Eaton doing really well.

"It was very close, especially the fourth set which could have seen us lose 3-1.

"A win is a win but it wasn't a convincing display."

But he added: "The women have an excellent coach in Steve Williams and with his experience and knowledge of the game they have grown in stature and will continue to do so."

Pock' - who were awarded Sports Lottery funding this year to go towards training equipment, balls and a new strip - now have four more games in just 17 days.

The league matches are held spasmodically, with Pockling-ton mainly playing their home fixtures - or otherwise holding training sessions - on Thursday nights at MSH, starting at 7.30pm.

New players are welcome and anyone interested should telephone secretary Wendy Cattle on (01759) 301005.

York Ladies play and train at Oakland School on Tuesday evenings and have an active and larger squad. For more details, club chairman Tim Godson can be contacted on York (01904) 706763.

They also have a website (www.yorkvolleyball.org.uk), which is shortly to be updated.

Updated: 10:25 Saturday, November 03, 2001