Selby Gain First Away League Win

Ripon A – 15 – 31 – Selby A – Saturday 5th January 2013
Selby travelled to Ripon with, once again, a reshuffled side from the one selected due to late call offs and call ups with winger Stephen Clark filling in at back row and Prop Millar McCoy shifting to No.8 which proved to be a good move giving him the freedom to make numerous impressive breaks throughout the game.
The first half commenced with Selby playing up the slight slope and running the ball with Ripon choosing to use the boot of the fly half to gain territory and the breakdowns being fairly even. With Selby’s backs cutting some terrific lines Captain Kev Lamb shot through a huge gap to sprint over from 40 yards out to gain Selby’s first try converted by drop kick by Tom Ambler. Ripon came straight back at Selby and made long yards with their kicks to put them under pressure which culminated in a penalty and 3 points to Ripon. Selby bounced back with impressive yards made by McCoy and Mark Tanner, Selby were pressuring the Ripon line, only to be thwarted by strong defence. The ball was then moved wider and Rich Topping rolling back the years cut back through the forwards to force his way over for Selby’s second try with Matty Torn converting . Ripon not to be outdone kicked back into deep in to the Selby half and a few awkward bounces let Ripon in for a try which was converted and left the score 14-10 at half time.
With the ground getting heavier, Selby continued in the form of the season and wore down their opponents with drives and moving the ball around, Ripon continuing their kicking game put the ball directly into the hands of deadly finisher Nick Firth who beat his man, rounded the full back and chipped through the hands of the covering winger to score a typical individual try. Ollie Saunders showed good strength and illusive running to create room and the forwards once again recycled the ball for Topping to produce a replica of his earlier try and put Selby clear, with Torn adding the extras. The move of the match created Selby’s final try with the ball coming off the top of a line-out quick hands and outstanding lines of running bamboozled the Ripon defence to put Firth in for his second try of the day. With time running out Watson re-entered the fray only to take out his frustration on his opposite number and gain a yellow card and the last 10 minute in the sin bin, with play deep in the Ripon half. This gave Ripon the chance to clear their lines and gain territory, with Selby then incurring the wrath of the impeccable referee numerous times back to their own line Ripon managed a consolation try which signalled the end of the game.
A good win for Selby who’s away form has been questionable at times this season signals a new start to the year and promising signs for the second team.
Team
T Ambler, C Watson, R Topping, K Lamb, O Saunders, E Clark, C McHale, I Copperwheat, M Tanner, A Tunningley, Andrew Wass, A Oliver, S Clarke, D Phillips, M McCoy, N Firth, M Torn