Agony for St Peter's

Having conquered all before them in their historic run to the Daily Mail Schools Rugby U15s Cup title last season, culminating in their Twickenham triumph over Outwood Grange, the new intake of boys made a winning start to this year's campaign.

However, despite wins over Filey and Horsforth, there will be no repeat trip to the home of English rugby for skipper Peter Wackett - a winner last year - and his team after St Peter's were toppled by Durham School.

But it was only a gutsy second half display from the famous old school that robbed them of their chance to defend their title after St Peter's had taken a 20-0 lead.

Entering the final minute of the third round tie the scores were level at 27-27, when Durham, who have fielded the likes of Newcastle Falcon players Michael Stephenson, Hall Charlton and James Isaacson and Bristol pair Gareth Archer and Lee Best in the competition in the past, snatched a try to win 32-27.

Another casualty in the third round of the U15s Cup was Pocklington School, who went down 57-5 to a strong QEGS Wakefield side.

However, while St Peter's U15s can concentrate on their school fixtures, the Under-18s are preparing to enter the competition for the first time.

With the talented Thomas Woolsey coming up from last season's successful U15s side, the school's first XV take on St Wilfrid's on Monday.

Victory for St Peter's would earn them a home tie against Barnard School, who thumped Harrogate's Ashville College 49-0, in the fourth round.

King James' School, Knaresborough will clash with Harrogate Grammar in the first round of the U18s Vase, with Ripon Grammar entertaining Richmond.

THERE must be something attractive about New Zealand to the players of Pocklington.

No sooner had one player packed his bags to head to the Land of the Long White Cloud, then another one of the Percy Road faithful decides to follow suit.

And to make matters worse for the selectors, both play in the same position leaving them with a little hole to fill.

First to decide the grass was greener on the other side of the globe was Adam Pears, who pulled on the Pock shirt for the first team for the last time against Heath three weeks ago.

Pears, who teamed up with Pock at the end of last season after completing his degree course at Leicester University, will spend a year travelling with New Zealand as his first destination.

Ironically, Pears was replaced in the back-row by Woldgate School teacher Justin Gibbs, but after his man-of-the-match display against Beverley last Saturday, he will now spend the next few weeks saying his goodbyes to friends and family before jetting off on the 30-plus hour flight at the end of the month.

Cambridge University graduate Gibbs, who coached the rugby team at Woldgate School, has a year-long teaching placement in New Zealand, where his other pastime of mountain climbing could help fill the time out there.

YORK'S youth section were given a lesson in rugby the Bentley way at Clifton Park this week.

Dual code international John Bentley wowed an army of fans with his silky running skills, during the British Lions tour of South Africa in 1997.

Now, 'Bentos' combines his time as the player-coach at hometown club Cleckheaton with that of the Leeds Tykes development officer.

And the colourful character headed across to Clifton Park this week to help promote the game among children at York's Introduction to Rugby Day.

Bentley was joined at the all-day event by North Yorkshire development officer John Lawn as kids from across the area took up the opportunity to learn from two heroes who started their careers in the White Rose county.

IT has been the sort of start to the 2002/3 campaign that Pocklington skipper Darren Smith will want to forget.

Smith, who returned to Percy Road in the summer after an injury-hit spell in North One with Bradford and Bingley, had enjoyed three-year spell of unparalleled success when he captained Pock between 1997-2000.

Under his leadership on the field, Pock enjoyed a North East League and Yorkshire Shield double.

However, hopes Smith's comeback would signal a return to those halcyon days have not quite happened with the Hayton farmer suffering an ankle injury in pre-season.

With Smith sidelined, Pock have endured a torrid start to the season as their bad run of form from last season's relegation from Yorkshire One continued.

But prop star Smith showed he can be the club's talisman when fit by climbing off his sickbed last Saturday to set Pock on their way to victory over Beverley.

Smith had thought he had finally shaken off his injury fears when he suffered an attack of gout and was forced to leave it until late Saturday morning before being cleared to play.

Pock are now hoping that Smith has now put his troubles behind him and get his career back on track.

THERE was mixed news for the Ampleforth College old boys international brigade this week.

One-time England skipper Lawrence Dallaglio, who plies his trade at London Wasps, has been named in Clive Woodward's squad for the autumn international series.

Dallaglio, who has career hit the buffers after a serious of knee injuries, is expected to lead from the front for the matches against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Guy Easterby is also to face the Aussies, although he is more likely to come off the bench for Ireland.

The Llanelli scrum-half has been included in the squad although coach Eddie O'Sullivan is more likely to opt for Peter Stringer at No9.

However, while Tadcaster-born Guy has been named in the 22, there is no place for his younger brother Simon after the former Harrogate and Leeds flanker failed to recover from a shoulder injury in time.

Simon, who plays at Llanelli with Guy, is hoping to regain his place in time for the matches against Fiji and Argentina later this month.

UP-AND-COMING Pocklington full-back Charlie Allen will do his bit to defend the honour of the White Rose at Tyldesley RUFC tomorrow.

The youngest of the Allen clan at Percy Road, Charlie has been named in the squad for the Yorkshire Under-18s for their War of the Roses tie against Lancashire.

Allen, who caught the eye playing for England 'A' U16s last season, is joined in the 22-strong squad by Harrogate's Ben Marshall.

Unbeaten Yorkshire wrap up their season against Cheshire next Sunday at Barnsley.

Updated: 10:41 Saturday, November 02, 2002