TEAMS are gearing up for the return of the annual Warrendale Wagyu Pock 7s rugby tournament this weekend.

Yorkshire’s largest Rugby Sevens tournament gets underway on tomorrow morning (April 7), at Pocklington RUFC’s Percy Road.

Gates for the competition will open from 10am onwards, with card payment entry only.

An eight-team women’s tournament will begin the day of non-stop rugby from 10.30am, with the 63rd edition of the men’s event, which is expected to draw a crowd of 3,000 rugby enthusiasts, starting from 1pm. The showpiece final is scheduled for 7pm.

This year’s draw, which was made by former England and British Lions winger Tony Underwood, includes 22 teams, seven of whom are past winners of the WS Fowler Challenge Cup.

Those competing comprise a mix of local and invitational sides, including London-based Jungle Tropics, who will be hoping to defend their title against challenges from teams across Yorkshire and the North East.

Pocklington, Hull Ionians, Goole, Driffield and Malton will all be vying to keep the trophy in Yorkshire.

While the largest crowds of the weekend are expected on Friday, the tournament continues into the weekend with the Junior Sevens event on Easter Sunday (April 9).

In excess of 20 junior teams from across the country will compete at Under 13 to Under 16 level, with the action kicking off at 10.30am. The Under 13 and Under 14 sides will play at Kilnwick Park, while the Under 15s and Under 16s will face off at Percy Road.

Full Pock 7s draw – Preliminary Round: A: Pocklington v Pilgrim 7 (1pm); B: Old Pocklingtonians v Wild Turkeys (1.20pm); C: Woldgate OB v Goole (1.40pm); D Ganton CC v Martins Minions (2pm); E: Driffield v Old Peterites (2.40pm); F: Hymerians v Malton & Norton (3.20pm).

First Round – Northern Exiles v Winner A (1.40pm); Hull Ionians v Winner B (2pm); Warrnedale Wagyu Warriors v Winners C (2.20pm); Heworth RL v Winners D (2.40pm); Cleveland Cougers v Ionians Buccaneers (3pm); Penguin International v Winner E (3.20pm); Oxford Barbarians v Pocklington Colts (3.40pm); Jungle Tropics v Winners F (4pm).