A Great Win in Terrible Conditions

Selby’s visit to Glossop started with an epic 2 and a half hour coach trip with more than a few interesting twists and turns. The big question was whether the young Swans could run off their bus legs and get a result? A warm welcome awaited the travelling supporters and a big thank you goes out to Glossop who were great hosts for the day.

Selby kicked off with the wind, rain and sleet behind them and after Glossop cleared their lines Selby soon slipped into game mode, going through 12 phases whilst slowly edging towards the Glossop line. Just as they managed to create a 4 v 3 overlap they were pulled back for a forward pass. Things were looking positive.

Strong carrying from the forwards, with Cicero, Wotton and Parkinson all making good yards, moved Selby 10 metres out from the Glossop line. After winning a line out following a Glossop infringement, good execution of skill saw a clean catch and drive with the rolling maul carrying Ash Parkinson over the try line for Selby’s first score. Henry Wright’s successful conversion gave Selby a 7 point lead with 10 minutes on the clock

From the kick-off Glossop re-gathered and started to put a number of phases together, however Selby’s defence kept their discipline and slowly began to knock the hosts backwards in the tackle. Pressure eventually told on the Glossop forwards and a knock on gave Selby a chance to clear their lines.

The game then settled into a pattern with Glossop having the majority of possession, slowly making yards only for a mistake to either force a scrum or allow Selby to kick to safety.

With 22 minutes on the clock Glossop were awarded a scrum 15 metres from their line. At this point Selby’s front row started to dominate their opposite numbers and a massive drive had the hosts reeling backwards and a turnover and a quick pick up from Cicero at the base of the scrum saw him race towards the line only to be hauled down a metre short. Quick ruck ball enabled Sam Broughton to pick up and dive over the line for Selby’s 2nd score of the afternoon, Wright’s second conversion taking the lead to 14 points.

Glossop kicked off and an offside decision against Selby saw a penalty awarded to Glossop who duly kicked it to the corner for a 5-metre line-out. A good catch and drive by the home forwards saw them cross for their first score of the afternoon, the conversion reducing the deficit back to 7 points

From the kick-off Selby put considerable pressure on Glossop who were forced to concede a scrum in front of the posts 20 metres out from the try line. From the ensuing set piece Selby’s dominance in the scrum really began to show. Quick ball from the base saw Wright pop a ball to “Bob” Robinson, who ran a great line only to be hauled down 5 metres short of the try line. A knock on by Selby in the ruck saw the scrum given to Glossop. Selby forwards really attacked the scrum and another heel against the head saw a quick pick up by Cicero and a strong drive over the line. the conversion by Wright restoring Selby’s 14 point advantage.

A good take by Cicero at the subsequent re-startand a clearance kick by Wright saw Selby three quarters chasing the ball in Glossops half, only for the referee to penalise Selby for having 2 men in front of the kicker. The resultant penalty to Glossop saw them tap quickly and force another error from

Selby as they had not retreated 10 metres . Luckily, a knock-on by Glossop in the quick tap allowed Selby to clear their lines but Selby’s discipline in defence began to be questioned as they were penalised 2 or 3 times for various offences at the ruck. This allowed Glossop to gain territory easily and quick thinking by the home scrum half created the space for the blind side flanker to drive over the Selby try-line, the successful conversion making the score 14 -21 at Half Time.

The start of the second half saw Cicero, who had pulled a calf muscle, replaced by Hebden and as Glossop kicked deep, Selby made a number of errors which eventually resulted in scrum 5 metres from Selby’s line. Selby’s scrum again showed its superiority and a quick heel against the head allowed Wright to clear the ball. As Glossop ran the ball back a handling error allowed Selby to pounce on the loose ball and quick hands saw James Bramley race down the pitch before putting in. a grubber kick which forced a further mistake from Glossop resulting in a 5 metre Scrum to Selby on Glossop’s tryline.

A series of scrums then took place with Selby dominating and the home side repeatedly penalised until, after the 4 reset, Ibbbotson managed to gather the ball over the try line for Selby’s bonus point fourth try. Wright was unable to add the conversion but Selby now held a healthy lead at 26 points to 14

For the next 5 mins the game was played between the 22’s with both sides driving forward only to make mistakes largely due to the appalling weather. Selby eventually managed to secure good ball and after a number of powerful drives Charlie Bramley sniped round the edge of the ruck before getting his pass out to Wright who put in an excellent grubber kick through the Glossop defence, the ball bounced kindly for Full Back Ben Poskitt who raced over the line in the left hand corner for a great try. Although the conversion was again unsuccessful, Selby now had a 3 score advantage as the game entered the final quarter.

As the conditions worsened so, understandably, did the quality of the play. Jamie Francis and Ollie Parsonage came on from the bench and both made a positive contribution to the Selby effort. The final quarter saw lots of handling errors as the wind and sleet picked up still further until, with time almost up Selby were warded a penalty in front of the posts for a high tackle on Wright who duly converted to make the final Score 34 -14 to Selby.

A great win in terrible conditions, Selby’s dominance in the pack and particularly the front row set the foundation for the victory, which saw them maintain their lead at the top of Regional League 2 North East, stretching their advantage to 5 points with the final fixture at home to Bridlington on April 6th offering a mouthwatering prospect to the many Selby faithful who braved the trip over to Glossop.