u15 Friendly Away @ Pocklington

Pocklington 17-56 Selby (HT 5-29) Friendly

A second road trip in as many weeks saw the lads travel to Pocklington for the latest contest. Whilst the hosts only had 11 players a Selby’s squad of 23 ensured a competitive fixture with our lads rotating to make sure it was always a 15 a side contest.

Following a good training session on the previous Thursday the boys were keen to put into practice some of the set moves but after an evenly contested start to the match on 5 minutes it was Alex S who found a gap in the hosts defensive line with an old fashioned forwards drive forcing his way through 3 tacklers before scoring close to the posts, and with Charlie A adding the conversion Selby were first on the scoreboard (0-7)

From the restart it was Selby with the greater share of possession and territory and the next score was on 10 minutes when Selby were again on the Pocklington try line, there was the smallest of gaps next to the ruck and the scrum half took the opportunity to touch the ball down on the whitewash for the visitors second try and extend the lead to 0-12.

The hosts continued to defend with discipline and it took a line break on 20 minutes by Alex H before the scoreboard increased, running through the defence with strength and purpose to score Selby’s third try and on 22 minutes Dan J found some space on the wing after some excellent counter rucking by Alex S and a good passing move created an overlap the the flying winger ran in uncontested touching down under the posts, with Charlie A converting the score increased to 0-24.

Pocklington did not let their heads drop and after a couple of quick tap penalties in the Selby 22 found a rare gap in the Selby defence and reduced the arrears to 5-24.

Selby had the final word of the half with Tom H tackled inches short, Alex H picked up the loose ball and touched down in the corner to finish the half with Selby leading 5-29.

The second half started with Pocklington fired up and within a minute of the restart had their second try, two strong quick rucks saw a break and Josh F with a (Pocklington shirt on) crossed the Selby line (10-29)

The hosts continued to contest the ball throughout. Connor, Ben B and Alex S with noticeable contributions in the rucks and breakdowns ensuring Selby held firm and it took until the 37th minute for Selby to score again. After a period of sustained possession another good set of handling and passing through the back line, Zack found space in the corner to score Selby’s sixth try (10-34).

Alex S made it a personal double on 41 minutes, Alex H completed his hat trick on 45 minutes, and Sam A after moving from fly half to play at no 8 drove with purpose towards, and then over, the

hosts line to score under the posts on 53 minutes and brother Charlie adding the conversion the Selby total had reached 50 for the first this season, 10-51.

On 58 minutes Ben B was on hand to finish off a multiple phase move to score his first Selby try which was deserved in view of his committed performance playing for both sides at various points of the game.

The final points of the game when to Pocklington who fought for every ball from start to finish and final reward came on the last play when crossing the Selby line, and with Billy converting the try and being the only player to score for both sides! made the final score 17-56.

The day proved to be a good workout and valuable game time for all the squad, all 23 whether playing for Selby or Pocklington fought with character and commitment for the shirt they were wearing.

Next week is the third round of the Cup where we have been drawn away to Sandal, more of the same desire next week and hopefully the same result, “Go Selby!”.

Selby Try Scorers:

Alex S (2)
Billy
Alex H (3)
Dan J
Zack
Sam A
Ben

Conversions
Charlie A (3)