Selby A 23 Wheatley Hills 2nds 18

Selby 2nds 23 Wheatley Hills 2nds 18

In this entertaining, open game Selby should perhaps have won more easily having the best of the possession battle.
The scrum pushed Wheatley back, Rob Triffitt dominated the line-out and Triffit, James Blaymire and Ben Booth were at the head of a strong effort in the loose. On a day when first time tackling was at a premium veteran skipper Duncan Phillips gave his men an object lesson in the art.
So long has Phillips played that for decades a rumour has abounded that he was the “scud” Phillips who encouraged Webb Ellis to pick up the ball and run with it. His denials recently lost credibility with the appearance on the Antiques Road show of his father Reg’s Waterloo Medal.
A Leigh Adamson penalty gave Selby an early lead but Wheatley hit back with a try before Triffit caught well at a line-out and the home pack forced over with Booth gaining the touchdown. Adamson converted but by half-time the lead was only 10-8 as handling in the ruck gave the visitors a penalty.
A strong run by Wass set up the position for Adamson to kick a penalty but Wheatley profited from a paucity of tackling to take the lead with a converted try.
The latter stages belonged to Selby and the game was rescued by two fine tries both well taken by substitute Ben Aked. Superb handling and a beautifully timed pass by Phillips set up the first and Mike Parsonage and Aidan Pearce created the second. A late penalty gave Wheatley hope but Selby had done enough!
Team ;
Aiden Pearce
Ollie Saunders
Adey Hewitson
Mike Parsonage
Steve Whyte
Leigh Adamson
Richard Gibbons
Andy Tunningley
Richard Blaymire
Mick Welch
Rob Triffit
Anthony Wass
Josh Haskell
Duncan Phillips
Ben Booth

Ben Aked replaced Ollie Saunders ( 60 mins )