Fortunately the storm was in it’s infancy as the game kicked off and whilst the wind blew the boys were able to put up a steely display showing determination from start to finish.

This was not a day for flair and was a battle fought at close quarters with forwards v forwards being the theme for the vast majority of the match.

An over zealous clearout at the ruck led to a yellow card for Alex S in the third minute but the extra man counted for nothing as Selby held out for the period of a man down.

It took until the 11th minute for a breakthrough and it went the way of the hosts, a break in the Selby 22 that was not closed quickly enough gave Sandal momentum and they managed to drive over to score the first try. 5-0.

The back and forth continued with neither side giving the other space to play, with defensive lines giving any attacks minimal space to break, and it was in the 23rd minute for the next score, this time it was the visitors who found a break, Ryan managed to drive to within 2 metres of the home side’s line before being held, but Batsi was on hand to finish off the move and score his first try for Selby to level the scores.

As the excitement eased here was the sad sight of Ryan still laying where he had been tackled, a dislocated kneecap meant it was the end of his game, and thanks to the support of Carla and the Sandal first aid team support was provided to the stricken prop.

The treatment was not swift, as additional support was needed and, when it became clear no ambulance was available and Ryan unable to move, the game was moved to a second pitch and restarted after a break of approximately 1 hour.

The restart was a conversion by Charlie A to give Selby a lead of 5-7.

Sandal switched on marginally faster that Selby to the restarted game and replied on 27 minutes with a drive over try to take a 10-7 lead into the half time break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, Storm Isha winds favoured the hosts but Selby defence was resolute, but not being switched on to a penalty in the Selby 22 and a quickly taken tap on 41 minutes proved costly as the hosts scores their third try to increase the lead to 15-7.

The Selby squad was reduced further 2 minutes later as Josh F took a hit to his ribs and at the time of writing we await the outcome of a CT scan to understand the extent of the injury.

The game was still in the balance but neither side were able to increase the scoring. Sandal were reduced to 14 men on 50 minutes for a late hit by his opposite number on Sam A. No sooner had that player returned than there was a melee in the middle of the pitch that saw two Sandal players seeing red but with the strengthening wind not allowing kicking into the spaces Selby were unable to take advantage of the extra numbers and at the final whistle the score remained 15-7.

After the match finished there was still time for the lads to go over and see Ryan who still remained where he had been tackled, surrounded thankfully by blankets and first aiders. By this time the ambulance had arrived and seeing him with gas and air as they righted his kneecap was believed to be quite a sight!

All 20 of the squad gave it everything, the game eventually taking over 2 hours from first to final whistle, defence and tackling were outstanding and the coaches could not be prouder of the effort put in by all.

Best wishes to Ryan and Josh F on a speedy recovery.

Sandal 15-7 Selby (HT 10-7) Cup R3

Selby Try Scorers:
Batsi

Conversion
Charlie A