OP SPORT
OP BOXING DAY RUGBY 2023
The annual ‘ Town v Gown ’ Boxing Day rugby produced a keenly contested encounter that could have gone either way .
Another bumper festive crowd was royally entertained , most agreeing they had seen the best quality Boxing Day match for several years . It was competitive from the outset , with more than half the Pocklington XV being first choice regulars and the rest senior squad men , while the OPs fielded a wellbalanced line-up with players from universities , local clubs Driffield , Beverley and Goole , plus a couple who perform in the National Leagues .
The advantage swung one way , then the other , with Pocklington ultimately prevailing to finish 24-12 winners , by making the most of their chances while the OPs missed a couple of golden opportunities .
Sami Eggleston ( 99-07 ) for OPs always scores on Boxing Day , this time inside five minutes , darting over for Tom Sowersby ( 05-12 ) to convert . Pocklington took over the initiative but met strong defence until quick hands from forwards and backs saw skipper Joe Holbrough ( 98-04 ) stroll in .
On the half hour , OP prop Sam Garvey ( 08-15 ) made a mercurial gallop up the middle leaving Eggleston nailed to score again until the Town ’ s Ed Wraith ( 08-18 ) hit him over the try-line to dislodge the ball . And Pock took full advantage , rushing play to the other end for No 8 Wraith to wrestle over in the corner . The pendulum immediately swung back , fullback Danny Prescott ( 09-22 ) flying in for the school side to take a 12-10 interval lead .
The end-to-end fare continued in the second period before Pocklington opportunism saw them strike twice in similar fashion ; centre Josh Britton then hooker Will Husband both sneaking clear from rucks to charge unopposed to the line , Louis Sangwin ( 13-20 ) adding both conversions for 24-12 .
It was still far from over , the OPs exerting sustained late pressure but being held up over the line by dogged home defence . And the OPs got over again from the last play only for Garvey to be adjudged to lose the ball in touching down .
That left Pocklington ’ s winning margin intact to see them collect the Bottomley Trophy for another year ..
Report courtesy of Phil Gilbank ( 67-74 ) Photos courtesy of : Becky Brett Photography and Andy Nelson Sports Photography .
Boxing Day Rugby – 2024 – match report
AVAILABLE ON THE OP WEBSITE NOW !
OP SNAKE LANE 10 MILE ROAD RACE 2024
OP Team joins sell-out 32nd annual Snake Lane 10-mile road race
The 32nd annual Snake Lane 10-mile road race , hosted by Pocklington Runners , took place on Sunday 18 February . The OP team with 12 OPs and three staff members joined a record breaking 1,571 participants to tackle the sell-out course .
After a proclamation from the town crier , the race started at 9.00am sending the competitors on their way up The Mile towards Bishop Wilton , weaving through Snake Lane , and navigating three ‘ undulations ’ on Yapham Road before a final sprint into Pocklington ’ s Market Place . Despite heavy rainfall overnight , the day offered ideal weather conditions without the typically challenging headwind in the last three miles . Runners were cautioned about significant ‘ puddles ’ on the course however , notably one spanning the entire road width around the 8-mile mark , leading many to sidestep onto the grass or brave through with drenched feet !
Though the course records remained unchallenged both the leading male and female runners impressively finished their race in under an hour to the welcome cheers of hundreds of enthusiastic race supporters who had gathered to watch the event .
Members of the OP team were not too far behind the leading pack . The first male OP runner home was Harry Isenstein ( 06-17 ) with a chip time of 1:06:53 , whilst the first female OP runner to finish was Angela Curtis ( 10-17 ) with a chip time of 1:13:43 . Some of the team participated as part of their preparation for upcoming events , whilst others saw it as the perfect chance to reconnect with peers and enjoy the vibrant race atmosphere in the town .
After completing the race , the OP team were each awarded their coveted Snake Lane medal and goodie bag , which this year included Snake Lane branded sunglasses . Team members , their families and supporters reconvened at The Feathers Hotel and were warmly welcomed by the OP Support
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