NORTHERN DIVISION YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.
OLD BRODLEIANS RUFC 41 – 15 SELBY RUFC

Referee – Mr. Brian Mulligan – Central Yorkshire Society

Selby’s 7 match unbeaten run came to a ‘sticky’ end at Old Brodleians on Saturday. Playing against a team who they had only beaten 4 times in 18 outings since League rugby commenced in 1987, Selby were still in the game in the early stages of the second half after going into the break in arrears by only 19 points to 8 despite playing up the slope and against the elements on an energy sapping surface. With the elements in their favour and playing down the slope in the second half, the Selby support were optimistic that the game could be turned around and this optimism seemed to be well-founded when Selby scored a converted try after 45 minutes to trail by only 4 points at 19 points to 15 in arrears. However, Selby then proceeded to turn in a very disappointing performance in the final 30 minutes with poor tactics, poor execution and a below par defensive display finally losing by 41 points to 15 – their heaviest defeat of the season.

With centre Alex Arthur unavailable, Sam Weller was back in the starting line-up at centre. Second row Jason Cicero, flankers Rihi Brown and Jacob Robinson were unfit, with Matthew Wood switching from flanker to second row and young Charlie Cicero and veteran Duncan Phillips recalled to play as flankers. Back row forward Sam Broughton made his debut in the squad, taking his place on the bench alongside front row replacement Ben Booth and backs replacement Iain Adamson.

Old Brodleians kicked off down the slope and could have taken the lead as early as the 1st minute when Selby were penalised for holding on but Brodleians full back Danny Wood missed the penalty opportunity. However, they did take the lead in the very next minute after a poor drop-out from the re-start allowed Brodleians the momentum to pressurise the Selby line down the left with big Samoan prop Loma Kivalu offloading to centre Nathan Scott who scooted over for the try converted by Wood. Brodleians continued to pressurise the Selby line forcing a 5 metre scrum but to Selby’s relief they were penalised for feeding and the danger was cleared but not for long! In the 17th minute, Selby were once again in possession in their own 22 but instead of clearing to touch a series of ‘flip passes’ finally went to ground with Brodleians hacking the ball over the Selby try line for a gift of a try scored by winger Christian Sharples – Wood converted to put Brodleians in front by 14 points to nil. Selby now made inroads into the Brodleians defence and reduced their arrears with a Josh Cruise penalty after Brodleians were caught offside in the 31st minute. Three minutes later, Selby winger Ben Lunt scorched over in the corner for a try after the Brodleians defence was sucked in down the left with the ball spread wide to the right – no conversion but Selby seemed to be back in the game with only 6 minutes to go to the break at only 14 points to 8 in arrears. However, as so often has happened this season, Selby conceded a try late in the half – after 37 minutes a line-out to Selby after a penalty kick to touch was lost with Brodleians flanker Ryan Harris going over down the left for an unconverted try. The half time interval arrived with Selby losing by 19 points to 8.

Selby made 3 changes at the start of the second half with Iain Adamson replacing Ben Lunt on the wing, Ben Booth taking over at prop for Andrew Pocklington and debutant Sam Broughton replacing Duncan Phillips at flanker. Selby were straight on the attack after kicking off the half and were nearly rewarded with a score after only 3 minutes of the half with full back Josh Cruise offloading inside to his brother Sam who had a clear run to the line at 15 metres out but the pass was adjudged to be forward. Selby did get their reward after 45 minutes after some superb inter-passing saw big number 8, Martin Protheroe bulldoze his way through the Brodleians defence for a try under the posts converted by Josh Cruise to leave Selby trailing by only 19 points to 15. However, that’s as good as it got for Selby with Danny Wood increasing Brodleians lead with a penalty after 48 minutes. Brodleians then started to show Selby how to effectively play up the slope with their forwards excelling. Selby scrum half Neil Francis made a try saving tackle prior to Selby conceded another sloppy try after 58 minutes when they failed to gather a loose ball after a kick into the Selby 22 down the right and with few Selby defenders near the action, second row forward Callum Thompson was allowed to go over for a simple try – no conversion but Brodleians were now in front by 27 points to 15 having scored their 4th and bonus point try. Selby were now showing signs of tired legs on the energy sapping surface but an excellent break by skipper Duncan Hardy gave hooker Sam Cruise the opportunity to make a great run which, unfortunately for Selby, came to nothing. Despite centre Sam Deacon being sent to the bin after 64 minutes, it was still Brodleians who were dominating most of the play with the Brodleians prop Lomu Kivalu barging over the try line for another Brodleians try after 70 minutes with Wood converting for a 34 points to 15 lead for the hosts. The final nail in Selby’s coffin came after 76 minutes with a try from scrum half Josh Allen who was allowed to stroll in for a try with the Selby defence once again AWOL – Wood converted to give Brodleians a 41 points to 15 victory and inflict on Selby their heaviest defeat of the season – and it could have been much worse but for some last ditch try-saving tackles from Selby and a succession of handling errors by the Brodleians backs.

This was a very disappointing display from Selby, who at times, looked like a bottom of the table side rather than a side who still occupy 5th place in Yorkshire 1. Next Saturday, Selby entertain a struggling Pontefract side at Sandhill Lane and will have to play much better against a side who always raise their game against Selby in a true ‘local derby’. Kick Off time now reverts to 3 P.M. for the rest of the season.