POCKLINGTON RUFC are on home territory today when ex-Pock player-coach Gary Pearce brings his National League side, Hull, for a pre-season friendly (3pm).

Former Llanelli and Wales rugby union fly-half and York, Hull and Wales rugby league half-back Pearce led Pocklington for nine seasons from 1991 to 2000, following the end of his professional career, before becoming director of rugby at Hull, twice, and Hull Ionians.

He brings his squad to Pock as one of the pre-season favourites for the National Three North title.

Pocklington head coach Mat Webber and back-row Matt Davies both had spells at Hull before returning to Percy Road.

There are also family fun activities from 1pm.

Pock will be facing an outfit from the division above, having had a good workout against Scarborough from the league below last week. That first practice match was split into three sessions with Pock storming ahead before being pegged back and eventually outscoring the seasiders by six tries to four, giving 28 players a run-out.

They had five impromptu debutants that day from the Pacific island of Guam.

Brian Ramiro, Carlos Fegurgur, Johnny Borja, Earl Pascual and Basil O'Mallan arrived the previous week and threw themselves into training.

The quintet's arrival came about through the club's new forwards coach, Tony Penn, the former New Zealand Maori and Hurricanes prop who moved to East Yorkshire after retiring from pro rugby in New Zealand.

He had never heard of Guam when he went out for a three-week scrum coaching stint in 2012 but took to the place and its players, becoming Guam RU's head coach and leading them to promotion in the Asia Rugby Championship.

This Guam quintet all played with the promotion-winning side.

One of them, O'Mallan, said: "We're all young guys who wanted to go travelling, have a vacation and play some rugby.

"We spoke to Tony and he said, 'Why not come to Pocklington?'. It should be fun and we're all looking forward to a good season."

Head coach Webber said: "I replied to an email from Basil and simply said everyone is welcome but we won't give you anything. The next thing I knew five lads were coming half way round the world for nothing, so we are doing our best to make them feel welcome. They have been a great addition so far."

Guam lies midway between Japan and Australia, just 30 miles long and 12 miles wide, with a population of 160,000. A US island territory and military base, its main industry is tourism.

The quintet, though, have also been impressed by the scenery around Pocklington. Threequarter Fegurgur said: "It's my first time in the UK. It's a beautiful place but just a bit cold - most of our games are played in 90 degree heat back home."