Selby Return to the Top of the League

Selby travelled to Old Crossleyans on Saturday looking to keep pressure on Croc’s near neighbours Old Brodleians at the top of regional 2 North East. Max Wotton, Jamie Ibbetson and Ben Poskitt returned after missing the Morley game and Adam Crookes, Sam Broughton and Jamie Francis made up the bench in a strong looking squad.

From the off both sides showed intent to run the ball through the backs and after just two minutes Crossleyans took the lead with a simple penalty from in front of the posts awarded for a high tackle with Max Wotton needing to leave the field for treatment to a head wound. Selby responded immediately when a penalty for holding on following the re-start was kicked to the corner and a clean take saw Jamie Dentith emerge from the pile of bodies to claim the try with Henry Wright hitting the first of his eight conversions for a 7-3 lead with barely 5 minutes played. Both sides continued to try to play attractive rugby but defence from both sides held sway until Crossleyans were awarded a second penalty in front of the post and reduced the deficit to one point. Selby’s scrummage was well on top in the limited number of scrums and from a penalty against Croc’s for wheeling, another kick to the corner set up a line out which instigated a couple of forward drives before Dentith barged his way over again just to the left of the sticks giving Wright a straightforward conversion and the visitors a 14 – 6 advantage.

As half time approached the Swans were looking to cement their lead when, against the run of play, Old Crossleyans winger intercepted and ran 70 metres and score under the posts for a converted try to reduce the deficit to 14-13 at half time, leaving both sets of supporters optimistic of victory.

Early in the second half luck went Selby’s way as the same winger was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on and the familiar kick to the corner resulted in a series of forward drives recycling the ball before Jamie Ibbetson broke away to score under the posts, giving Wright another easy conversion and Selby a healthy 21-13 lead. With their tails up and the Halifax weather remarkably dry and sunny, Joe Ramsay took advantage of a free ball penalty advantage for a high tackle to beat three players with a mazy run and then a perfectly judged chip over the winger and fullback saw him recover the ball and score an excellent individual try for the bonus point. Wright’s conversion from wide out on the left made it 28-13 after forty seven minutes.

The floodgates then opened as a further penalty was kicked to the corner and resulted in a fine catch by Quintin McGrory Hill with the Selby forwards powering him over for another converted try and a 35 points to 13 lead. Selby’s superior fitness now told as a tiring Croc’s saw their Number 8 yellow carded for a dangerous tackle and another kick to the corner saw Dentith claim his hat trick from the back of a driving maul, marking his thirteenth try of the season. Wright kicked another excellent touch line conversion as Selby stretched their lead to 42-13.

The Swans now seemed to get every break as Croc’s either knocked on or conceded penalties and Wright repeatedly punished them with long kicks to touch. The Selby 8 were supplying plentiful possession and an advantage for a knock on was then seized on by Liam Hogan who bashed away several tacklers before sending Ramsay on another superb run to the line from inside his own half on 79 minutes, another fine conversion stretching the lead to 49 points to 13. Selby then put the icing on the cake following yet another kick to the corner and a clean catch and drive before Hogan broke from the edge of the maul and celebrated by diving over near the left hand post. Henry Wright converted to complete a perfect kicking performance from the tee with 8 out of 8 and final score of 56-13.

Old Crossleyans’ one consolation was the result for their neighbours Old Brodleians who were heavily beaten at Rochdale, a result which saw Selby return to the top of the League. Rochdale are now in second place having played a game more with Old Brods slipping down to third.

Next week sees local rivals Goole make the short trip to Sandhill Lane with a 2:15 kick off. Selby will be looking to avenge two defeats already this season so the expectations are for an exciting, close game from two clubs who pride themselves on using home-grown players and playing attractive rugby.

The 3rds are also at home against Goole with a 1pm KO and the 2nds are away at Goole.