OP SPORT
OP SPORT
OP BOXING DAY RUGBY 2022
Pocklington ’ s oldest sporting fixture on Boxing Day again produced the season ’ s biggest crowd , with Pocklington RUFC retaining the Bottomley Trophy thanks to a 40-22 victory over Old Pocklingtonians .
Pocklington had stormed into a 33-0 interval lead , but the OPs ’ spirited comeback saw them score four second half tries to one before Pocklington prevailed to finish on top at the end of an entertaining encounter .
Pocklington battered at the OP line from the start but were met by some determined tackling until back row Will Nicholson ( 09-15 ) plunged over . The OPs produced some promising passages of play only to lose the ball at key moments , and their failing was exemplified on the quarter hour as an OP attack broke down and a long Pock box kick saw Christian Pollock outpace the cover to touchdown .
Harry Matthews ( 15-20 ), and at 28-0 Pocklington looked home and hosed .
But the OPs hinted at revival when Lewis Wilson ( 14-16 ) powered over at the side of the posts , Ben Maycock ( 14-21 ) converting . And despite Ed Liversidge blasting over from a tap penalty , the OP comeback continued with centre Tom Sowersby ( 05-12 ) slicing through in midfield , followed by guest scrum half Freddie Hara darting over .
A diagonal kick to the corner created the fourth OP try for wing Jonty Goddard ( 11-19 ) before Pocklington had the final word with a second score for Liversidge , converted by Pollock .
Report credit : Phil Gilbank ( 67-74 ).
It continued to be end-to-end fare , but Pocklington ’ s incisiveness when then got into the red zone saw them pull away with two successive close-range touchdowns by young flanker Archie Wilcock . All four conversions were added by
Pocklington and Old Pocklingtonians after their annual Boxing Day game . Photo credit : Andy Nelson .
OP SNAKE LANE 10 MILE ROAD RACE 2023
The latest running of Pocklington ’ s Snake Lane 10-mile road race on Sunday 26 February 2023 was a great success for the OP team with 22 OP and staff runners , the largest turnout to date completing the challenge .
Race conditions were perfect as the OP team joined a record 1,540 runners at the start line on Garths End . A throng of supporters lined both sides of the street as the runners set off . The undulating course took them out along The Mile towards Meltonby and Bishop Wilton before winding back into Pocklington via Eastfield Road – better known locally as Snake Lane – and down the home straight into Market Place for a sprint finish to the welcome cheers of hundreds of enthusiastic race supporters and members of the public who had come to watch the event .
The first male OP runner home was Ian Cooke ( 93-00 ) with a chip time of 01:06:39 , whilst the first female OP runner to finish was Juliet May ( 05-12 ) with a chip time of 01:07:53 ; both impressive times . However , it wasn ’ t all about finish times , with many of the OP runners using the race for their own running goals , personal enjoyment , or as a reunion with old school friends !
After the race , OPs and their families and supporters gathered at The Feathers for the traditional post-run drinks and bacon butties hosted by the OP President , Joan Gough ( 75-77 ), and Honorary OP , Rob Peel ( Former Staff , 72-11 ). All enjoyed the time to recover from the morning ’ s efforts , exchange race day stories , and catch up with friends and family .
John Skinner ( 75-82 ) commented : “ Thank you so much for organising such a fabulous morning as part of the Snake Lane run – after five years of injury and lockdown , I was pleased to finally make the start line ! It was a lovely morning , enjoyed by all .”
Angela Curtis ( 10-17 ) said : “ I really did enjoy it ! I ’ m very keen to run again next year , now I ’ ve done it once and know what to expect .”
If any OPs would be interested in signing up for next year , please let the OP office know – this is a fun , friendly , and supportive event catering for all ages and running abilities from beginner to pro !
For more general information about the Snake Lane race , visit the Pocklington Runners website [ https :// www . pockrunners . uk ] or join the Snake Lane 10
Mile Road Race group [ https :// www . facebook . com / groups / snakelane ] on Facebook .
OP team members for 2023 were : Stewart Mumby ( 63-71 ), Neil May ( 72-79 ), John Skinner ( 75-82 ) Ripon Runners , Nicholas Lumley ( 80-87 ), Mark Dawson ( 83-88 ), David Grigsby ( 81-88 ), Robert Lewis ( 83-88 ), James Sweeting ( 81-88 ), James White ( 80-88 ), Christopher Clegg ( 82-89 ), Lydia Mawer ( Barrett , 94-99 ), Andrew Wilson ( 89-99 ), Ian Cooke ( 93-00 ), Mike Linstead ( 97-02 ), Bethanie Goodliff ( 93-00 ), Katie James ( 96-07 ), Juliet May ( 05-12 ), Angela Curtis ( 10-17 ), Millie Goode ( 17-19 ), plus Patrick Dare ( Current Staff ), Rachel Dare ( OP Office ), and Bonnie Steel ( Current Staff ).
The date for next year ’ s Snake Lane is Sunday 18 February 2024 .
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