POCKLINGTON RUFC forwards coach Tony Penn is back home in East Yorkshire and raring to get stuck into pre-season training after coaching his "other" side, Guam, to success in the Asian championships.

Penn joined forces with backs coach Sean Bass and coaching coordinator Wayne Warren this week as the East Yorkshire club got their pre-season programme underway.

Former Hurricanes and New Zealand Maoris prop Penn was responsible for encouraging six young Guam players to come over to play for Pocklington in the 2016/17 season, and he was reunited with five of them for their Asia Division Three East triumph in May this year.

Ex-Percy Roaders Johnny Borja, Jacob Flores, Earl Pascual, Carlos Fegurgur and Brian Ramiro all played leading roles as Guam thumped hosts Brunei 66-12, then raised the bar to beat China 52-12 in Banda Seri Begawan to win the division, with Ramiro going up as captain to receive the trophy.

Penn praised his Guam protégés, saying: "In rugby terms Guam box well above their weight for an island of 160,000 people with no real club rugby.

"To beat China, with a population of 1.3 billion, was an outstanding achievement.

“It was a real privilege helping Guam achieve their recent success, but now I am back home I can’t wait to get stuck into pre-season training with Pocklington."

Guam even stopped off to play a friendly against the Philippines in Manila on the way home, but succumbed 32-22 to the higher-ranked side as their title celebrations and congested fixture schedule - having played three games in five days - caught up with them.

Penn - now a permanent resident in Pocklington - was already coaching Guam before moving to East Yorkshire at the end of his professional rugby career in the antipodes back in 2016, but maintained his connection with the South Sea island.

Pock's pre-season started this week at the club's Kilnwick Park training ground. Sessions continue every Tuesday and Thursday.

Any new or prospective players wanting more information can phone Penn on 07946 533660.