THE BOTTOMLEY Trophy has produced many a cliffhanger down the years but this result was probably a first as Pocklington staged a memorable recovery to draw 29-29 with Old Pocklingtonians.

The fixture drew a bumper festive crowd while players travelled from far and wide to take part - including a sprinkling with international honours.

A chill wind from the Burnby Lane end also contributed with the OPs having first use and racing into a 29-5 interval lead before Pocklington scored 24 unanswered second half points to snatch a share of the spoils.

The OPs made good use of space out wide in the first period to set their flying wingers free. Their first try, after five minutes, came from a raid down the left then a switch right where wing Billy Higgins scampered to the corner.

But Pocklington were soon back on level terms after several forwards carried strongly in midfield to take them to within sight of the line. Skipper and hooker Dave Birch plunged over on the short side.

The OPs then pulled clear with left wing Higgins racing over for a hat-trick and Tom Sowersby scoring two tries and two conversions on the opposite flank.

A re-shuffled line-up and the wind advantage saw Pocklington gaining momentum in the second period and Marcus Britland wrestled over, Matt Procter converting.

The revival continued almost straight away as a big tackle freed the ball deep in the home half and wing Tom Richardson outpaced everyone on a 70-yard gallop to the posts. Procter converted and, at 19-29, it was game on.

Flanker Ben Stephenson burrowed in to reduce the gap to one score and another Pocklington raid saw the comeback completed as Joe Holbrough wheeled away on the far side to stroll over in the corner and make it all square

A decent crowd also turned out for the annual Boxing Day challenge between Malton Highlanders and Norton Swampies at Malton & Norton’s Gannock ground - which was cancelled 12 months ago because of flooding in Ryedale and York.

The game was won 24-7 by the Highlanders.

A Paul Sykes try and conversion gave the Highlanders a 7-0 lead at the interval with further touchdowns coming in the second period from Tom Riddolls, Ali Heard, and Harry Coulson with Sykes adding one conversion.

Norton’s riposte came via a penalty try from a scrum while trailing 14-0 – a score awarded by referee Pat Stephenson who also organised the opposing Highlanders team.

Stephenson said: “It was a good game and a fair amount of Christmas pudding was run off. There were about 20 players per squad and there was a good crowd as well, of a couple of hundred.”

“It was definitely a penalty try,” he smiled. “They were driving towards the line and Malton’s number eight broke off and kicked the ball away. It was quite tight at 14-7 before Malton got the edge, the final result probably being a fair reflection of the game.”

Malton & Norton, meanwhile, return to North One East action at home to Dinnington on Saturday January 7.