u16 Match Report

Buoyant from last week’s performance, the squad faced York away on a beautiful Autumn morning. A school sporting accident had ruled out Higgins from the forwards and a half term holiday made mighty winger Fairfield unavailable too.

Selby started brightly and dominated the first 5 minutes. A great carry and run from Cresham set up a lovely cross field kick from scrum half Tosney. The bouncing ball was collected by full back Sibley, offloading to the ever-reliable centre Janus to power over for the first score. A lovely team try that had been practiced the previous session. A tight angle rendered the conversion wide.

York looked rocked by the speed of the backs and changed their game plan to strengthen their defence for the remainder of the game with their strong front line scoring the first of 4 tries for the home team. Selby’s forwards went round for round, matching the pack’s intensity, but York continued to move the ball up field. Selby backs,unusually, were not on point, with fumbles and forward passes, causing unnecessary turn overs, that put their teammates under more pressure.

With York tiring in the second half the ball went more aerial yet despite safe hands and penetrating runs , Selby could not break through. A game of nip and tuck ensued, finally broken by Bugg scoring after a period of Selby pressure, again not converted. Selby were now in the ascendance and the final period of play was constant pressure near the try line with the York forwards holding the fort admirably.

At the final whistle Selby had lost 24-10, a score line that flatters the hosts. Coach Tosney was full of praise for the efforts of the team, but this certainly was York’s day. Tehan, who is having a brilliant season was rightly the man of the match