Moor Lane, Pontefract, was the short trip for Selby’s first team and supporters on Saturday—a local derby eagerly anticipated as the midpoint of the season approaches. Torrential rain overnight and persistent showers during the day put the contest in doubt, but a pitch inspection allowed the match to go ahead on the first-team field rather than the more distant second-team pitch.

From the outset, conditions dictated proceedings. The ball skidded across the surface, players were drenched within minutes, and high kicks and grubbers became the preferred tactics for both sides. Knock-ons were frequent as caution crept into the early exchanges.

Selby struck first. A chargedown just inside the ten-metre line saw Alex Webster follow up with two fly-hacks before scrum-half Harry Clarke added a third and grounded the ball for the opening try. His grin—barely visible beneath a magnificent Movember moustache—told the story. Charlie Bramley converted for a 7–0 lead after 12 minutes.

Selby’s forwards soon took control. Hola Vea punched holes with ball in hand, and James Hunt dominated the line-out. A booming touch-finder from Pontefract prop Anderson delighted the U15s watching from the stand, where they had earlier served lunch to raise funds for their upcoming tour.

Injuries and rotations came early. Laurence Taylor replaced Fin Wotton, and Joey Reid came on for Jack Todd as Selby kept the front-row tempo high. Pontefract responded with sustained pressure near the Selby line. After multiple penalties and scrums, Ryan Lamb was shown yellow, and the hosts crossed in the right-hand corner with the final play of the half.

At the break, Ben Poskitt replaced Clarke, shifting Archie Bennett to scrum-half. Continued infringements by Pontefract earned Anderson a yellow card, and Selby capitalised instantly. A quick tap penalty saw the forwards combine and drive over in the left corner, Antun Wilson emerging with the ball. The conversion from out wide drifted narrowly off target.

Straight from the restart, Selby’s pack surged 15 metres upfield. A penalty allowed a kick to the corner, and Todd’s throw to the middle was secured by Dolat. After an initial effort was held up, the forwards regathered and powered over again—Wilson claiming his second. Bramley added the extras, extending Selby’s lead to 19–5 with twenty minutes remaining.

Despite relentless rain, the pitch held firm, and the players’ shirts even retained their colours as the water washed the mud straight off. Both sides chased a bonus point late on. Pontefract went the length of the field through a pair of kicks, and Taylor saw yellow as Selby defended hard. Eventually the numbers told, and the hosts crossed for an unconverted try, closing the score at Selby 19, Pontefract 10.

It was a dour mid-table encounter, but an away derby win is always welcome—even if the spectacle wasn’t one for the purists. Selby now prepare to host an improving Bradford Salem at Sandhill Lane, fresh from handing Pocklington their first defeat of the season.

David Everatt