Selby’s Intermediate Cup adventure came to an end at London North 2 side Staines on Saturday when they were beaten by 31 points to 3, a score line which flattered their illustrious opponents. Playing against a strong wind in the first half, Selby monopolised possession for the first 30 minutes but had nothing to show for their domination. Trailing by 17 points to nil at half time hopes were high that Selby, with the advantage of the elements in the second half, could pull this deficit back, but it was not to be, and 2 late converted tries took Staines into the semi finals of the competition.

Staines had seen nothing like the support for Selby with upward of 150 supporters having made the 420 mile round trip. After winning the toss and electing to play against a strong wind Selby immediately took play into Staines territory but despite monopolising possession were unable to make much impression on an excellent Staines defence although Selby centre Shaun Austerfield put full back Rich Topping in for a try chance which came to nothing in the 8th minute. Staines first opportunity came in the 19th minute when Selby were caught offside in front of their posts but Fijian International Waisale Serevi, widely recognised as the best 7’s player in the world and with 38 test caps, surprisingly missed the penalty chance from 24 metres, hitting the upright. Selby continued to dominate, restricting Staines to an ambitious 50-metre penalty attempt when they were penalised for going over the top but Severi’s attempt fell well short. Despite Selby’s domination, both in the tight and loose, Staines always looked dangerous when they ran the ball, particularly down the left side and they took the lead in the 26th minute when their centre, Redelinghuys touched down in the corner – Severi kicked the conversion to give Staines a 7 points to nil lead. Six minutes later Staines went further ahead when their favourite set piece paid dividends. A penalty to the corner provided a successful line out with the forwards driving over - former London Irish and England number 8, Chris Sheasby got the touch down and with Severi kicking the conversion Selby were now 14 points to nil in arrears despite their valiant efforts. Staines threatened a further score in the 35th minute but were held up over the line. Shortly afterwards Selby were penalised for offside in front of their posts – Severi kicked the penalty to give Staines a 17 points to nil lead. Selby immediately swept play into the Staines 22, putting tremendous pressure on the line with the Staines and ex Harlequins flanker, Chris White-Cooper yellow carded for persistent offside. Selby continued to press with the advantage of the extra man and their efforts were nearly rewarded when number 8, Jamie Pocklington narrowly failed to get the try Selby so richly deserved. Half time arrived with some concern from

the Staines supporters who had been quietly impressed with Selby’s first half performance and were wondering if Staines had done enough with the advantage of the elements.

One would have thought that with the advantage of the elements at the start of the second half it would be all Selby, but that’s not how it worked out with Staines, despite being a man short, putting tremendous pressure on the Selby line and only a knock on preventing a further score. After 50 minutes Paul Randell replaced Jamie Pocklington and shortly afterwards Paul Scott relieved the Staines pressure with a massive kick to touch. The resultant pressure caught Staines in an offside position but the relatively simple penalty kick by Selby winger Paul Scott went wide. He made no mistake 2 minutes later, however, with a similar chance, to put Selby’s first points on the board reducing the deficit to 3 points to 17. Selby continued to press but Staines were defending well and looking increasingly dangerous on the break with Severi impressively bossing the game. Richard Nicholson replaced Duncan Phillips in the 70th minute with Selby visibly tiring and Staines went further ahead a minute later with their second row forward Nigel Taylor barging over for a try in the corner – Severi kicked a magnificent conversion to extend the Staines lead to 24 points to 3. There were some good moves from Selby involving Shaun Austerfield, Paul Scott and Martin Protheroe but the Staines defence were giving nothing away. Andy Bennett and Mark Tomlinson replaced Rich Topping and Paul Gabel respectively and it was Selby now who were having to do some desperate defending but Staines had the last word in the 2nd minute of added-on-time when Chris White-Cooper went over, unopposed in the corner – Severi once again kicked an excellent conversion to give Staines a rather flattering margin of victory by 31 points to 3 and a place in the semi final of the Intermediate Cup.

Despite this defeat, the Selby players can feel proud of themselves for reaching the quarterfinals of a National competition and giving an excellent overall performance in this game against illustrious opponents. Although line out possession was a problem for both sides, Selby took 3 scrums against the head losing none of their own put in, and with a favourable penalty count of 15 to 6, monopolised possession for much of the first half. The big difference between the sides was the performance of Fijian stand off Waisale Severi who generally bossed the game with his tactical kicking, his placekicking and his quick service to the Staines back line but the undoubted star was substitute scrum half Scott who replaced Gaule after 23 minutes and gave Waseri the time and space to work his magic. In addition the Staines defence were excellent, allowing Selby little room to make any crucial break through. Perhaps the only criticism that could be levelled at Selby is that they failed to take advantage of the elements in the second half.

Selby, having slipped a place to 8th in Yorkshire 1 after Saturday’s League games, revert to League action next Saturday with a trip to second placed Wheatley Hills, with only 6 points separating 5th place from bottom placed Yarnbury. Selby must now concentrate on maintaining their Yorkshire 1 League status with only 6 games left to play.

SELBY LINE-UP

15 Full Back Topping R
14 Wing Scott P
13 Centre Austerfield S
12 Centre Gabel A
11 Wing Protheroe M
10 Stand Off Pemberton T
9 Scrum Half Smith M
1 Prop Pocklington A (Captain)
2 Hooker Sellers S
3 Prop Gabel P
4 Lock Cicero J
5 Lock Marshall B
6 Flanker Phillips W
7 Flanker Phillips D
8 No 8 Pocklington J

Substitutes
Randell P (For Pocklington J – 50 Minutes)
Nicholson R (For Phillips D – 70 Minutes)
Bennett A (For Topping R – 71 Minutes)
Tomlinson M (For Gabel P – 75 Minutes)