The first fixture for some years between Selby and near rivals Pocklington produced a tense and captivating contest with Selby eventually running out deserved winners courtesy of a try deep into stoppage time at the end of the second half, a score which denied visitors Pocklington a losing bonus point and which helped Selby improve their League standing following promotion to the Regional League 2 level.

Playing towards the Leeds Road end, Selby enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, forcing the visitors back into their half from the kick-off and winning a first kickable penalty with just 5 minutes on the clock as both sides struggled to come to terms with the referee’s insistence of quick clean ball at the breakdown. Henry Wright, who had an assured afternoon with the boot, made no mistake from the tee and was able to offer a repeat after 15 minutes to give his side a 6 point lead as both sides tried to keep the game flowing but found defences firm and determined.

A further penalty on 20 minutes gave Selby a “2 score advantage” but Pocklington soon reduced the deficit to 2 points. A penalty conceded on the 10 metre line was kicked towards the corner and clean line out ball set up a position for the Pocklington backs to run hard at the Selby defence. An excellent running line from the visiting full back opened up the Selby midfield and though he was tackled 5 metres short of the line, Dan Sanders was on hand to collect the offload and cross under the posts, giving Christian Pollock the easiest of conversions to open the visitors’ account.

Scoring chances were very much at a premium and it wasn’t until 37 minutes had elapsed that Selby were able to extend their lead when Wright maintained his 100% record by kicking his fourth penalty, so that Selby went into the half time break with a 5 point advantage at 12-7.

Despite playing into the breeze at the start of the second half, Selby soon established superiority in terms of possession and territory and were rewarded just 7 minutes after the re-start when Jamie Ibbetson gained his reward for another eye-catching performance both in defence and attack when, following great build up play involving both forwards and backs, he crossed wide out on the left to extend the Selby lead to 10 points. Wright was unable to add the conversion, his one blemish on an otherwise very good afternoon, which saw him awarded the players’ Player of the match.

Both sides threw everything into the contest but with defences remaining determined and resolute neither team was able to create any significant scoring opportunities until the game moved into the final quarter. 65 minutes had gone when the game looked like being turned on its head. Selby second row Jack Hebden was adjudged by the referee to have made a dangerously high tackle and as well as being penalised mid-field, was shown a yellow card. With a significant forward advantage, Pocklington again elected to kick for the corner. A secure line-out catch and a strong drive saw the visitors’ pack force the Selby back over their own line. The try was credited to Will Husband and an excellent conversion from Pollock reduced the deficit to just three points and the visitors still had 8 minutes with a one player advantage.

It was real edge of the seat stuff as Pocklington repeatedly drove themselves forward and Selby defenders threw themselves into every collision to prevent any further score, somehow managing to repel every attack until the 10 minute spell had elapsed. The tension was racked up even further when at 17-14 and with just a couple of minutes to play, Pocklington were awarded a penalty inside the Selby 22 and chose to go for the corner rather than kicking at goal to tie the score at 17 all. The line out was secured and the Pocklington forwards repeatedly drove at the Selby defence as play moved inch by inch, phase after phase and Selby heroically repelled each attempt. Play had moved into midfield and one final desperate surge for the Selby line convinced the visiting support that Pocklington had snatched the score needed to claim victory. The referee however was not convinced, ruled that the ball had been held up over the line and Selby would have a goal line drop out to try to relieve the pressure. Wright got good distance on his kick and when Pocklington tried to run the ball back, a knock on close to the Selby 22 gave Selby the put in at the scrum and a chance to clear downfield.

As play became ever more frantic, Selby forced their way down to the Pocklington 22 and when Dan Reid on the Selby right wing got the ball he chipped and chased for the line. Although neither Reid nor the covering Pocklington defender were able to claim the crucial touchdown as the ball bobbled around the try line, scrum half Danny Wilkinson was quickest to react, diving on the ball close to the touchline to secure the victory and setting off scenes of celebration amongst Selby players and supporters alike. Although Wright’s kick was not the cleanest strike of the afternoon, it somehow cleared the cross-bar to add further gloss to a thoroughly absorbing contest in front of another large, appreciative crowd at Sandhill Lane