POCKLINGTON regained the Bottomley Trophy with a late try to win 15-12 at Percy Road.

The annual clash between the rugby club and the old boys from Pocklington School, Old Pocklingtonians, saw a big Boxing Day crowd in attendance.

And the spectators, who included Bath and England hooker Rob Webber, were treated to a keenly contested game which swung one way and then the other in the mud.

Pocklington scored first, centre Billy Hardy following up a kick to touchdown midway through the first half.

But the OPs were soon level thanks to fullback Henry Mitchell sliding over.

Lock Stewart Rowley crossed from close range to put Pocklington back in front just before the break, but centre Pete Massie weaved through to the side of the posts early in the second half and Billy Higgins' conversion gave the old boys the lead for the first time.

It was end to end stuff in the final quarter. A blindside break saw Aussie wing Charlie Wilson just make it to the line to give Pocklington a three point lead with ten minutes to go, and they held out at the death as the OPs almost snatched it with a last gasp rally.