After a bumper senior Pock 7s on Good Friday, the youngsters got in on the seven-a-side act at Percy Road on Sunday as 24 teams produced another six hour try feast in the Pocklington Junior Charity Sevens, sponsored by Agriyork 400, with Beverley coming through at the end of the day to finish Under 14 runners up.
The event raises money for Martin House children’s hospice and stages competitions at Under 13, Under 14 and Under 15 age levels. It drew teams from across Yorkshire and the north-east and some 250 young players displayed their running rugby talent in a host of close games. Even when the rain that had been threatening all weekend finally arrived at noon, it failed to dampen the enthusiasm or the skill of the eager participants.
At the youngest age level the Under 13s saw host team Pocklington battle their way through Pool 1, beating Morley Lions and Recar, but having to survive a nailbiting draw against Ripon to go through. In the other Pool Harrogate laid down a marker with three good wins.
Pocklington had another close call in their semi-final before defeating Morley Tigers 10-5, while Harrogate put out the Leeds club’s other seven, Morley Lions, 20-5. And Harrogate took their high scoring form into the final to beat Pocklington 35-10.
In the Under 14 competition Selby won all their three games to top Pool 1, while Pool 2 produced a cliffhanger – Harrogate, Driffield and West Hartlepool all tying on two wins each, with Driffield the unlucky side to miss out on try count back.
There were two decisive semis with Selby beating Harrogate 35-5 and West Hartlepool putting out Moortown 30-5, and it was end to end try scoring in the final before Selby triumphed 30-20 to take the cup and leave West Hartlepool as runners up.
The Under 15s were closely contested throughout. Huddersfield won all their three games in Pool 1 but Pool 2 ended with Pocklington and Beverley joint top.
Beverley RUFC then edged out Roundhegians 15-10 while Pocklington gave Huddersfield a real test though the West Yorkshire outfit held their advantage to win 20-10. That took them into the last final of the day, with Huddersfield scoring two tries to Beverley’s one to take the trophy.
