Selby RUFC 38 – 6 Beverley RUFC

Report by Ian Marlow

Selby kept their top four league hopes alive and kicking with their fourth win on the trot at home against Beverley on Saturday.

Even before kick-off it was clear who the man of the match was – Selby groundsman Richard ‘Tizzy’ Nicholson who worked his miracles (yet again) during the week to turn last week’s rain-soaked quagmire into the pristine field of dreams presented to both teams to do their stuff on. And it was fitting that the Swans put in a performance to match the surface with another excellent outing that continues their recent upturn in fortunes.

With usual fly-half, blue-eyed playboy Henry Wright, away enjoying the delights of London at the expense of an older woman (well his mum actually), ex-Beverley player Tomasi Tanumi took up the reins in his stead – and what a good job he made of it adeptly orchestrating and overseeing an afternoon of pain on his former club. Selby started expansively and after continual recycling pressure the gap had to appear, which Skipper Ash Parkinson took for 7-0 before Phil Duboulay’s penalty for Beverley reduced it to 7-3. A superb counter-attacking move from the Swans from their own 22 swept sideways and up-field for Tom Edwards to feed Bob Robinson for another try, before Duboulay’s boot struck again in mitigation for 12-6 – and then Liam Hogan decided to cash in his yellow-card breather for the last ten minutes of the half.

The rest obviously did him a world of good though as, after another good try to wingman George Stoker, he powered over shortly after the break to make it 24-6, with no way back now for the East Yorkshiremen. With the Swans now in complete control of every aspect of play, particularly at scrum-time, the Beavers were simply being outplayed all over the park and struggling for any decent possession or territory. Further tries to Parkinson again, and full-back Harry Kelly confirmed Selby’s dominance and paid testimony to the work of the coaching staff and players alike to instil a commitment and ethos in themselves that is now showing super results on the pitch.

Next Saturday is a return to 3 o’clock kick-offs, away at third-placed Middlesbrough who will provide a much sterner test – but the Swans will be hoping to make it five in a row!