A pleasant sunny afternoon that would have been welcome on Scarborough beach in summer time greeted Scarborough first and third teams when they arrived at Sandhill Lane at 12:30. This however proved to be a false dawn for the players and the large number of sponsors and spectators as the weather closed in ominously as kick off approached.

An under 9s curtain raiser gave the youngsters an insight into first preparations before playing on what at the time was an excellent surface to play rugby and show where 15 out of Selby’s match day squad of 18 had started their rugby journey.

From the kick off both sides had a short period with the ball until Selby received a penalty that was kicked to near the Scarborough 22 metre line where a clean take gave the backs quick ball that was spread in to midfield where a high tackle centre field gave Henry Wright an easy kick to take the lead after just three minutes of play.

Immediately on the restart Selby were awarded another penalty that was kicked to the corner and another fine catch was spoiled as players got in front of the ball carrier and Scarborough were able to clear their line from the resulting penalty. The heavy, persistent rain that started ensured both sides kept the ball tight with running rugby at a premium and short pop passes the order of the day.

A Selby high tackle gave Scarborough an almost identical shot at goal which influential stand off Tom Ratcliffe kicked to level the score at 3-3.
As the rain became even heavier and forced many spectators into the stand and sponsors Topnic and Openfield back to their hospitality areas, another high tackle enabled Scarborough to camp on the Selby line and make a number of forward drives against a resolute defence until Selby were able to force a turnover and Sam Broughton provided the first half highlight as the second row forward spiral kicked the ball 40 metres to the half way line to bring the first half to a close.

The second half continued to be a forward battle in the rain and coach Jacob Robinson made good use of many interchanges with evergreen Duncan Hardy having a run out including a stint in the second row and impressive youngsters Jamie Francis and Charlie Bramley also entering the fray. Scarborough continued to prove their five straight wins no fluke though play rarely entered either 22.The Selby scrummage remained solid throughout and proved strong enough to earn a couple of penalties close together, the second dominant one providing Wright the opportunity to kick a penalty from 25 metres out to the left of the posts which saw Selby take a 6-3 lead on seventy five minutes.

Scarborough kicked off again but keeping hold of the ball proved almost impossible in such difficult conditions and both sides were able to turn over possession until, in the last minute, the Scarborough forwards were able to keep their hands on the ball, eventually squeezing in at the right hand corner to score the decisive try try to the utter disappointment of the Selby faithful, Ratcliffe’s conversion from wide out rubbing salt into the wound. Although there was time for the re-start, Selby were unable to regain possession and Scarborough gleefully kicked the ball to touch to clinch another victory to underline their claim as the league’s current form team.

In atrocious conditions the Selby pitch stood up well considering the amount of rain seen before and during the game. It will certainly present a challenge to the Selby Groundsman to have it all sorted for the much anticipated clash with Old Brodleians in two weeks time.

In other results the Selby seconds had to hastily rearrange their coach trip which was diverted from Rishworth to Wensleydale where they came out on top by 41-17. The third team played Scarborough thirds and triumphed comforatbly by 37-points to nil and the Selby 4ths, making their 8th appearance of the season went down by 50-5 against an Otliensians 2nd string bolstered by the inclusion of a number of fit, young Colts players. The ladies fixture unfortunately fell victim to the rain which meant that they were unable to play on Sunday despite the general improvement in weather conditions