A bright and sunny afternoon, perfect for watching and playing rugby, saw Selby take on a second West Yorkshire side in two weeks as Huddersfield travelled down the M62 to Sandhill Lane. Selby suffered a setback before a ball was kicked with Charlie Cicero injuring his knee and unable to take part and Ryan Lamb doing likewise forcing him to drop down to the bench. Duncan Hardy and Sam Fuimaono coming into the starting XV.

Huddersfield were quickly on the front foot using a deceptively strong wind to get in the Selby 22 from a penalty and a line out saw possession retained. Committed defence kept ‘Field at bay till a knock-on saw Selby’s strong scrummage provide a release up field. Huddersfield regained possession, but Selby were first on the scoresheet as Duncan Hardy intercepted on the twenty two metre line and put in a lung busting sprint to the line - complete with a dummy pass - before stretching over in the left hand corner to give Selby the lead.

Huddersfield then replied with two tries. Both scored by the forwards as they drove hard at Selby using size and weight advantage - a testament to former rugby league professional Danny Brough’s style of rugby. With the second converted, Huddersfield led 12-5 after 30 minutes.
Selby’s scrummage was well on top and Huddersfield prop, Thompson, appeared tired out and had had enough of being up against the powerful Max Wotton and went off as the pack provided ball that sped across the backs for Dan Reid to finish clinically in the corner for his third try of the season on 35 minutes.

The contrast in forward styles was then apparent again as the mustard and amber forwards of Huddersfield drove rugby league style and second row Billy Hammond scored his second and Huddersfield’s third try as they led 19-10 at halftime.

Selby now had wind advantage and as the second half started Huddersfield were pushed back with the large number of Selby members remembering the late Tony Mirfield, they were able to see some excellent possession retention from the Swans’ Nest. The wind then proved too much and a long kick went dead resulting on a scrum on halfway. A penalty awarded to Selby then resulted in a second scrum with the home team putting in. The pressure told and man of the match, Archie Bennett, broke clear from scrum half before feeding a rampaging Liam Hogan who stormed into the twenty two. The forwards all drove hard as the ball went across the try line before Sam Fuimaono powered over to the left of the posts. Henry Wright converting and Selby trailed by two points with Twenty five minutes and looking the stronger side.

From kick off, however, Huddersfield seemed reinvigorated and put pressure on Selby holding them in their own half. A turnover ball and smart forward retention saw centre workman power through a gap in the midfield and score under the posts for a converted try.

The game became scrappy with knock on’s and poor passing and kicking from both sides with all the play on or about the half way line. Selby needed some good fortune or individual brilliance to get back into the game and it came from neither. A bobbling ball with most players unsure as to who was or wasn’t offside saw Paul Townend in position and make the correct decision to play the ball. He scooped it up and made good headway into the Huddersfield half where he drew three players into tackle before popping it up to the supporting Henry Wright. With a lot to do he swerved and dummied across the field to score in the far left corner, unable to add the conversion.

With two minutes remaining ‘Field were awarded a penalty 40 metres out and took the decision to kick at goal and guarantee at least a draw. The successful kick making a final score Selby 22 Huddersfield 29
Another two bonus points showing Selby very capable in this league, one of a number of teams with one win but garnering the most bonus points of those teams. Scunthorpe and York at the top both unbeaten. The 1st XV travel to Driffield on Saturday against a team who have been regulars in the top half of this league for a number of years. A good benchmark and chance to renew friendships from the past.

Elsewhere, the 2nds travelled to Sheffield Tigers and lost 45-14. Ed Blackwell and Danny Wilkinson scoring tries with Gabel and Wilkinson adding a conversion apiece. The 3rds also struggled on their travels, failing to score a point. Chris Rawlins’ men were down to the bare fifteen, tiring badly as they trailed by just fifteen with ten minutes to go but ultimately lost 32-0.

Better news across on the second pitch where Rob Thornton got his troops together for a first game of the season against Maltby. Despite losing 29-34 getting a 4th XV in September is an excellent achievement. Loan players Tyler and Middy scored tries along with Rob Marcus and man of the match, Ben Bell.

Selby Ladies travelled on Sunday to long term rivals Hemsworth and came away with a comfortable 35-12 win. Scores from Em Owen, Ella Parsonage, Isla Ramsay, captain Honor Ratcliffe and Ella Deighton, with 5 conversions from Meg Birch. The fact six players from the girls section showed that enthusiasm and commitment are now starting to show in results.