U13s Opener against York

Sunday saw a series of firsts for Selby U13s – first match of the season, first game with the full 15 player team structure and first time playing on a full-size pitch. After a slightly nervous start for both teams Selby gained confidence and were the first to score when Ollie Uren, seemingly revelling in the space available, went over the line to score.
Selby maintained their momentum, with an intelligent defensive kick from Kieran Sudron leading to good attacking ball from a successful Selby scrum. The backs moved the ball out to Sam Perrin who flew down the wing, dodging past the York defence to touch down between the posts. Ollie Uren added the conversion. As the game progressed the pressure from York started to build and the Cygnets found themselves defending hard in their own half. Despite some excellent tackling from Max Burdekin and Archie Bennett the away team capitalised on the holes opening up in the Selby defence and scored their first try. There followed a period of 10-15 minutes where the home, possibly suffering from a lack of match fitness, seemed to lose concentration – York took full advantage scoring two tries in quick succession. Selby rallied towards the end of the game but it wasn’t enough to prevent a further York try.
Although the score-line was not as they would have wished the home team can take many positives from this game. Selby were not daunted by their initiation to the 15-man, full size pitch, game and played good flowing rugby for much of the 50 minutes. The Selby scrum was very effective and there were many examples of good handling and tackling from the forwards and backs, with Sam Perrin and Kieran Sudron’s performances being particularly noteworthy. Sustained concentration, a bit more movement from the forwards around the rucks and more awareness of the passing and running options available to the backs might have seen a very different outcome.
Final Score Selby U13s 12 – 24 York U13s

Report by Nick Parker