Selby’s recent upturn in form and fortune saw them claim a well deserved and much needed victory away at Old Brodleians, a team that have been Selby’s nemesis since the start of League Rugby back in the 1989-90 season. According to Club Statistician Stephen Ward, Selby have managed just 6 wins in the 33 League fixtures played between the sides in over 30 years and Saturday’s win away from home marked only the second occasion that Selby have come out on top at Brodleians notorious sloping pitch.

Playing with the elements in their favour, Selby gained the upper hand from the word go, driving the Brodleians defence back into their 22 and making it very difficult for them to escape from the bottom corner. With 11 minutes gone Selby were able to force a line-out on the Brodleians 22 and a clean catch and drive saw the forwards take the ball to within 10 metres of the try line. When the ball was moved wide to the left, it was Selby’s forwards number 8 Jamie Ibbetson to crash over wide out. Henry Wright was unable to convert but Selby had clearly shown positive intent from the get go.

Brodleians response was almost immediate as they drove at the Selby 22 from the kick off before being bundled into touch, with the advantage of put in to the visitors. Unfortunately the line out was overthrown and the Brodleians scrum half Jimmy Hodgkinson was quickest to react, gathering the ball over the tail of the line out and having a clear run to the line. The home side’s 17 year old fly half, Will Bentley made no mistake with the kick and Brodleians held a 2 point advantage at 7-5

The Selby response was to compete at the re-start; managing to turn over the ball at the first attempt and setting up a maul which took play straight back into the home side’s 22. A patient build up which went through numerous phases committed the Brodleians forwards into a tough battle before the ball was again moved wide to the left and Ben Lodge was on hand to plunge over following a clever half break by Alex Webster who was able to pop the ball up as he went to ground in the tackle. Wright’s successful conversion restored Selby’s lead, an advantage that they rarely looked like giving up over the next 60 minutes.

Fortune also favoured Selby for their next score. After a period of stubborn defence on and around their try line Selby managed to force the Brodleians attack back towards the 22 before securing a turn over. A clearance kick from Charlie Bramley ricocheted off one of the Brodleians forwards and so put Harrison Green onside despite being in front of the play. Another kick and chase down the slope saw Green just lose out in the race for the score but his effort gained Selby a 5 metre scrum with put in advantage. A clean strike and powerful drive saw the Brodleians 8 shunted backwards, making the score for skipper Ashley Parkinson a welcome formality. Wright’s conversion from right of the posts established a 12 point cushion at 19-7

On their next visit to the Brodleians 22 Selby were able to claim a 4 try bonus point on the stroke of half time. Having forced Brodleians to kick to touch the Selby forwards cleverly worked the ball in-field before hooker Charlie Thompson spotted a gap on the blind side. His sniping run took him to within a couple of metres of the try line and when he was tackled scrum half Archie Bennett was on hand to collect the scoring pass and touch down just inside the corner flag. In difficult conditions Wright was unable to make the conversion and the main question at half time was whether a 17 point gap would be sufficient against a side that have great experience of using the slope to their advantage.

For the majority of the second half the home side threw everything at the Selby defence but found it increasingly difficult to find a way through or round a resolute and determined line. Indeed despite having a number of opportunities in and around the Selby 22, Brodleians eventually decided to kick a penalty at goal to get the scoreboard moving again, the successful kick reducing the gap to 24-10 in the visitors’ favour

In deteriorating conditions, with a stiff breeze and persistent rain blowing across the field, open play was at a premium but Selby were comfortably able to keep the Brodleians attack at arm’s length until the game entered the final 10 minutes. A penalty conceded on the 10 metre line allowed Brodleians to kick to the corner and a well executed catch and drive resulted in a deserved try for the home forwards some 10 metres in from touch. The conversion was unsuccessful but at 24-15 the Selby crowd were braced for a difficult last few minutes.

Immediately from the kick off Selby forced a penalty between the 10 metre line and 22, with the obvious decision to kick at goal, which would both wind down the clock and extend the lead to 12 points. Wright’s kick was bang on target but with just 2 scores needed there was no room to relax. When Ben Lodge caught the Brodleians fly half in possession just outside the 22, the resulting penalty could have made things even more unlikely for the home side, however Wright was unable to convert and nerves continued to shred. Brodleians fell foul of the referee again from the re-start and Wright found an excellent touch kick to give his forwards one last chance to put the result beyond doubt. Although the ball was won at the line-out, the home defence forced Selby onto the back foot and drove them back towards the 22. With seemingly nowhere to go, Alex Webster picked a perfect running line and a neatly executed switch with Wright in midfield saw him ghost through the Brodleians defence and dive over to the side of the posts, giving Wright an easy conversion and sealing a very satisfactory 34 points to 15 victory.