POCKLINGTON under-13s completed their own Italian job when they won a four-team tournament held near Bergamo.

The team (pictured above after their success) returned to England with the Alessandro Minelli Trophy after beating local team Zogno 3-2 in the semi-finals, thanks to a last-minute winner from Philip Gray, and then a youth team from Serie 'A' club Atalanta 1-0 in the final.

Nathan Spreckley scored two goals in the semi-final and got the winner in the final to be named the competition's top scorer.

The Pocklington team raised £5,000, including sponsorship from MFI and Sundora, to finance the weekend trip, which also included a visit to Lake Garda, and coach Martin Gray said it was well worth it.

"It was a great trip and we were treated really well over there," he said. "The lads played in 85 degrees heat - I was sweating on the sidelines - but they did brilliantly."

Updated: 08:53 Friday, June 06, 2003