Sandhill Lane welcomed Ilkley on Saturday, the town known for its Cow and Calf on the famous Moor Baht ‘at. After missing out by a point in their last game Selby’s optimism was high from both players and spectators. Oli Parsonage and James Bramley starting with the pack, the same as for the Driffield game .

Selby started well, despite an early onslaught from the visitors, and the game scoreless until ten minutes on when Hola and Cicero won a penalty at the turnover. The resulting line out claimed, with Alex Webster making the break in the visitors 22. Quick recycling by the forwards saw the ball spread to the right where Adam Infante jinxed round three players to score. Henry Wright adding a good conversion as the Swans led seven - nil,.

Selby then looked like letting all the good work go to waste. Visiting winger, Martindale, going over but in trying to go under the posts dropped the ball! A moment to win “dick of the season” let alone dick of the day. Selby clearing their lines from the scrum but Ilkley kept the pressure on and awarded the penalty as Selby infringed in the middle of the pitch.

Ilkley then took the lead on 28 minutes as a quick tap and go saw them go left, recycle the ball before spreading right to touch down in the corner to take an 8-7 lead.

The Swans came straight back as the skilful Cicero drew in the visiting forwards. A break down the middle by captain Webster opening up the defence. The move looking to have finished as the defence closed in, but a perfectly timed pass to scrum half, Archie Bennett, who had appeared on his left shoulder, saw him touch down under the posts .

Instead of consolidating the lead Selby went for the jugular. A penalty to Ilkley was reversed by referee Adam Robson for back chat. From near the centre spot, Paul Townend, tapped and went. Inter passing taking Selby to just short of the line where the move was stopped, only by a high tackle. Another quick tap and Ryan Lamb was held up but with the ball spread wide, Oli Parsonage used Adam Infante as the decoy and stretched over. A missed conversion but Selby looking good at 19 -8 .

A reality check before half time though as sloppy play on the half way saw pacey visitors winger, Walker, pick up the ball and run in without too much effort and touch down under the posts. The close score at half time reflecting the evenness of the contest - 19-15 .

Selby were under the cosh on the restart. What should have been a relieving penalty failed to find touch and Ilkley came straight back. Swift hands and Martindale redeemed himself from his earlier mishap, and touched down to the left of the posts for a try that was converted.

The game then stagnated, as both sides kicked aimlessly. Both teams on the wrong side of the referee for offside. Webster and Hola eventually winning turn over ball that saw Selby get into Ilkley’s 22. The downside saw Webster limping off to be replaced by Ben Poskitt .

On sixty minutes the home side gained a penalty 30 metres out, centre field. Three points down they took the brave option and went for the corner. A line out, safely gathered, however the move appeared to have stopped, but Bennett peeled off the back after throwing a dummy, jinxed back inside to score near the posts. No defenders laying a finger on him as he scored his second try .

Webster came back on to replace Parsonage and the Swans soaked up Ilkley pressure but were mostly in the Ilkley half. A high tackle on Lamb looked like he may have to come off, but he played on and Selby kicked the resulting penalty to five metres of the visitors line. Jamie Ibbotson took yet another ball at the line out and forwards grouped together and forced themselves over the line. Hola Vea coming up with the ball .

Leading by nine points with four minutes remaining, Ilkley came at Selby. A try would give them two bonus points, Selby’s supporters conscious of the end of the previous game. Relief all round as Ilkley let the ball go loose with a poor pass and Henry Wright, fly hacking the ball all the way to the top left corner, before he touched down for a try. The final play of the match his missed conversion to leave the score 36 -22 to Selby .

A much needed and well deserved win and Selby now level on points with Blaydon.

A week off for the first team next week before a crucial looking trip to Percy Park, who sit two places and five points above Selby. A similar result to last year’s cup result in the North East would do just fine .