POCKLINGTON Rugby Union Club retained the Bottomley Trophy with a hard-earned 32-19 victory over Pocklington School Old Boys in their annual Boxing Day encounter.

The game saw the Old Boys lead for an hour until Pocklington pegged them back in the final quarter.

Pock had the initial pressure but the Old Boys scored from their first attack, creating an overlap on the right for front-rower John Curry to touch down, Otley fly-half Dan Clappison converting.

Pock hit back when scrum-half John Frank was first to a kick to the corner, but the Old Boys stretched their lead thanks to a close-range try by flanker Scott Littlefair.

Pock closed the gap again with the last move of the first half as full-back Mark Taylor forced his way through on the left.

Two minutes after the restart the Old Boys broke through as Surrey County second-row Mick Hill charged under the posts from a quick tap, Clappison again converting.

Pocklington's pack did well against a well-balanced Old Boys side, which included players with big club and representative experience.

Home full-back Taylor brought his side back into it when he sliced through from a scissors move and converted the try himself.

A good attack down the right on the hour resulted in Kevin Bowling kicking a penalty which put Pock ahead for the first time.

Pocklington edged further ahead when lock Stewart Rowley stretched over on the left from a penalty tap.

Pock finished the stronger and made sure of victory when they spun the ball wide to get centre Henry Mitchell clear to the posts, Bowling converting.

Updated: 10:54 Saturday, December 28, 2002