Selby RUFC 2nd XV 17 - 43 Hull XV

YORKSHIRE MERIT LEAGUE – EASTERN CHAMIONSHIP.
SELBY RUFC 2ND XV 17 – 43 HULL RUFC XV.

Despite losing this Merit League fixture by a substantial margin, this was a really plucky and determined effort by Selby 2nd XV against a very indisciplined Hull squad who included at least 8 players with National League 2 North experience. In a tight first half, Selby found themselves trailing by 12 points to nil at the break but, after an excellent start to the second half, pulled the deficit back to only 2 points - in arrears by 12 points to 10. The big difference in the sides proved to be the Hull backs who went on to score a further 5 tries in the second half. The Selby forwards were very much more than a match for their opponents providing the platform to give Selby the last word with a try in added-on-time by winger Tom Ambler converted by Edward Townend with Hull running out winners by 43 points to 17.

Selby took the kick off to the Leeds Road end but soon found themselves under pressure from the Hull backs and but for an excellent try saving tackle from winger Tom Ambler they could have been behind after only 2 minutes. The Selby forwards then began to dominate with their excellent pick and go tactics but failed to turn their pressure into points and another try saving tackle from Tom Ambler saved the day in the 11th minute. However, the Hull pressure told in the end with winger Ben Thoy over for a try in the 13th minute which number 10 James Cameron failed to convert. Hull always looked dangerous when they ran the ball and increased their lead after 21 minutes with a try from James Cameron which he improved himself to give Hull a 12 points to nil lead. With flanker Duncan Phillips yellow carded after 27 minutes, Selby were up against it but their forwards, with the addition of Sam Broughton for Ben Spence and Tunningley for Mark Tanner at hooker, fought tooth and nail to prevent any further Hull scores – winger Tom Ambler, once again, made another try saving tackle to keep the Selby line intact. With Phillips back on after 37 minutes, it was soon Hull’s turn to be reduced to 14 men with the first sign of their indiscipline when number 8, Santiago Soccinio went to the bin for 10 minutes. The half time break came with Selby in arrears by 12 points to nil.

Ben Lunt replaced Adam Roberts at the start of the second half with Selby having their best spell of the game in the first 10 minutes of the half. A catch and drive from a 10 metre line-out saw prop Joe Romaniw credited with his first try of the season – the difficult conversion was missed by scrum half Edward Townend but Selby were on the score-board after 42 minutes. Two minutes later, more indiscipline from Hull saw their flanker Rob Devonshire red carded – the return of Santiago Soccinio ensured that Hull were still down to 14 rather than 13 with Selby taking full advantage 2 minutes later with another catch and drive after a penalty to the Hull 5 metre line gave Selby the line-out – this time, the impressive David Blaymire was credited with the try which Townend once again failed to convert but Selby were now within 2 points of their opponents at 12 points to 10 in arrears. Selby’s joy was short-lived however, with Hull’s impressive full back and National League player, James Kirk, over for a try after 49 minutes which Cameron converted. Ben Spence replaced Duncan Phillips at this point with Selby in arrears by 19 points to 10. Despite Selby’s heroic efforts, they slipped further behind after another James Kirk try, albeit assisted by some dubious tackling, on 58 minutes which he converted himself for a 26 points to 10 advantage to Hull. Adam Roberts replaced skipper Kevin Lamb after 62 minutes with more indiscipline a minute later which saw Selby’s Ben Spence and Hull’s scrum half Matt White both yellow carded. Two minutes later with the Hull backs showing their pedigree, their number 8 Santiago Soccinio went over for Hull’s 5th try converted by Kirk for a 33 points to 10 lead – Ben Booth was now on for Tom Bell but the Hull try fest continued after 71 minutes with a Mark Joblin effort which Kirk failed to convert. With Tom Bell back for Booth, Lamb back for Arthur and Spence back on the field after his yellow card, Selby were back to full strength but failed to prevent another try from Santiago Soccinio which the same player failed to convert after 76 minutes – Hull now had a 43 points to 10 advantage – Alex Arthur was now back for Stephen Clark. Hull’s appalling indiscipline reached its climax in the 79th minute with their scrum half Matt White getting his marching orders with a red card, reducing his side to 13. Selby took full advantage in the second minute of added on time opting for a scrum on the Hull 15 metre line after Hull were penalised for offside – with the scrum won, the Selby forwards pressurised the try line before the ball was spread wide for winger Tom Ambler to cross the try line unopposed in the corner and run round under the posts for the touch-down – Townend kicked the conversion to give Selby a very well deserved consolation with Hull running out winners by 43 points to 17.

SELBY LINE-UP:

15 Full Back Clark S
14 Wing Roberts A
13 Centre Lamb K (Captain)
12 Centre Arthur A
11 Wing Ambler T
10 Stand Off Clark E
9 Scrum Half Townend E
1 Prop Romaniw J
2 Hooker Tanner M
3 Prop Bell T
4 Lock Blunt A
5 Lock Toye M
6 Flanker Phillips D
7 Flanker Blaymire D
8 No 8 Spence B

Substitutes

Broughton S (For Spence B – 30 Minutes)
Tunningley A (For Tanner M – 34 Minutes)
Lunt B (For Roberts A – 40 Minutes)
Spence B (For Phillips D – 49 Minutes)
Roberts A (For Lamb K – 62 Minutes)
Booth B (For Bell T – 65 Minutes)
Bell T (For Booth B – 71 Minutes)
Lamb K (For Arthur A – 71 Minutes)
Arthur A (For Clark S – 76 Minutes)