Selby RUFC 23 - 10 Pocklington RUFC
Yorkshire Shield 2nd Round

Despite playing against a team ranked one division higher and having to play the last quarter of an hour with a one man deficit, Selby turned in a terrific all round team performance to progress to the quarter final stage of the Yorkshire Shield.

Playing with the advantage of the blustery conditions Selby looked to be in for a tough afternoon when, after just 3 minutes, Pocklington took advantage of a second Selby Knock on, winning the scrum and quickly moving the ball wide to winger Billy Hardy who crossed in the corner.

Recognising the physical superiority of the Pocklington forwards, Selby decided that an expansive game would be needed if they were to really challenge their East Yorkshire visitors and when the forwards began creating solid ball, the backs showed just what a formidable unit they can be. A clean line-out take after 10 minutes was moved to centre field where Sam Weller burst through the middle of the visitors’ defence before giving the try scoring pass to Alex Webster who strode under the posts to present youngster Josh Cruise with a straightforward conversion and establish a lead that Selby were to keep for the remainder of the match.

After a period of determined defence Selby managed to steal turn-over ball on twenty minutes and the break out, lead by Alex Arthur and the returning Dan Porter took them deep into Pocklington territory. When the visitors were penalised for holding on and then again for contesting the referee’s decision Cruise stepped up to stroke over the 30 metre kick and give his side a 5 point advantage at 10-5.

Selby’s next score was a tremendous effort as forwards and backs combined to run the Pocklington defence ragged before Weller was put in for the try near the corner flag. The conversion by Cruise fully matched the try and Selby’s faithful supporters were buzzing.

Pocklington had the chance to reduce the deficit after 34 minutes when awarded a penalty but it was Selby who increased their lead when the unsuccessful attempt was quickly followed by a further Cruise penalty and Selby headed to the break with a commanding and thoroughly deserved 20-5 lead.

Expecting an early second half onslaught Selby were delighted to seize the initiative from the kick off when Alex Webster, recognising that the referee had signalled for a Selby penalty, mis-timed a drop goal attempt but was able to watch as the ball crept over via the post and cross bar.

Stung by the nature of the score Pocklington then really upped their game, putting tremendous pressure on the Selby defence, who were determined to prove themselves capable of withstanding everything the visitors had to offer. After losing their second row grafter Mark Toye to the sin bin after 55 minutes, Selby were devastated when on Toye’s return, centre Sam Weller was harshly red carded for what the referee adjudged to be a dangerous tackle. Far from capitulating, the whole Selby team seemed galvanised by the dismissal and a fantastic backs-to-the-wall effort repeatedly thwarted the Pocklington assaults on the Selby line. Apart from a try on 71 minutes for Dan Pickard Selby remained resolute throughout the final quarter to seal a tremendous morale-boosting victory. With similar performances in future weeks there is no reason why Selby cannot improve their League status and, given a favourable draw continue to progress through the latter rounds of the Shield competition.