POCKLINGTON supporters were singing in the rain at the end of seven hours of muddy rugby action at the 40th John Smith's Pocklington Sevens yesterday, when Pocklington won their own competition.

They defeated defending champions Newcastle 17-10 in an exciting final.

Despite much of the country being under water, 22 of the 24 sides braved it out to compete at Percy Road, though Weston-Super-Mare were unable to get through the Midlands floods in time for their game.

And, remarkably, the crowd was only a couple of hundred down on last year's attendance of 2,000.

The early rounds of the competition were played in remarkably firm conditions, but from the semi finals onwards the mud made matters increasingly difficult though the players coped admirably to still produce entertaining rugby.

The final between host club Pocklington and hot favourites and holders Newcastle, it was a tense affair.

Pocklington went ahead early on with a try by ex-York Rugby League flyer Dave Kettlestring.

Pocklington were always in front but Newcastle were never more than a breakaway away from getting back on terms.But the home side's determination saw them hold out to lift the trophy.

The day was given a good start with a women's curtain-raiser match between Pocklington and Malton in which there was plenty of noise and atmosphere.

Pocklington women came from behind to win 15-10 in what was their first competitive encounter.Results:Semi-finals: Pocklington 27, Driffield 5; Newcastle 39, Old Pocklingtonians 7.Final: Pocklington 17, Newcastle 10.Plate Final: East Yorkshire Exiles 30, Rowntree 0.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.