Despite the score-line this was a much better performance than the 67 points to nil drubbing suffered at Sandhill Lane in Selby’s last League fixture at the hands of Bradford Salem. Playing against a team that Selby last tasted victory against in 2002, Selby gave a determined display and despite being under the cosh for most of the second half, they tackled and defended well, giving there all, but were outmuscled giving away a significant weight advantage on an extremely heavy and poor pitch.

Selby gave debuts to young second team fly half Ashley Winstanley and new signing number 8, Charles Grey with prop Stepien Przemyslaw on the bench. After only 9 minutes Selby suffered a blow with their Captain and centre Sam Weller injured and replaced by Tom Ambler. Selby competed well in the early stages of the game, playing with the slope and the elements, and it was a mistake at the base of a successful Selby scrum on the half way line after 13 minutes that gifted Brodleians their first try with scrum half Dominic Georgiou stealing the ball and running virtually 50 metres unopposed to get the touch down – on a difficult day for place kicking Brodleians centre Phil Town missed the conversion. After 16 minutes, Selby fly half Winstanley had a penalty opportunity after Brodleians were penalised for holding on but the chance was missed with Brodleians increasing their lead 6 minutes later with number 8 Oliver Ackroyd scoring an unconverted try from a five metre scrum to give his side a 10 points to nil advantage. Selby had a great chance to reduce their arrears after 34 minutes after an excellent cross kick found winger Ben Lunt steaming in at full speed towards the try line but the difficult conditions resulted in a spilled ball when a try looked certain. However, Selby continued to attack and reduced their arrears 2 minutes later after an excellent break by full back Alex Webster found Lunt on the wing – a well timed inside pass found flanker Dominic Bosher in support who steamed over for his first League try for Selby – the conversion was unsuccessful. The half time break arrived with Selby 10 points to 5 in arrears after a half in which Selby had competed well and were still very much in the game.

James Blaymire, returning from injury, replaced flanker Patrick Rowntree at the start of the second half, a half in which Selby had to contend with playing up the infamous Brodleians slope and facing worsening weather conditions as the game wore on and went further behind on 51 minutes after more Brodleians forward power put them in the ascendancy – with the referee playing advantage and the Selby defence sucked in, the ball was spread wide for Brodleians winger James Marshall to score an unconverted try in the corner. Debutant prop Stepien Przemyslaw replaced Tom Bell 3 minutes later. Brodleians, despite raucous contrary advice from the vociferous home support to run the ball, continued to push Selby back into their own 22 with their kicking game. After 57 minutes Brodleians increased their lead after a 5 metre scrum resulted in a try for number 8 Oliver Ackroyd – centre Town had his only successful conversion of the afternoon to put Brodleians in front by 22 points to 5. Ackroyd was credited with his third try 6 minutes later for a 27 points to 5 advantage. Selby continued to battle hard and on one of their rare incursions into Brodleians territory a smart chip over the Brodleians defence by scrum half McLoughlin nearly had him in the clear but the muddy conditions prevented a clean pick-up and it was Brodleians who went further ahead on 74 minutes after a catch and drive from a 5 metre line-out gave hooker James Ogden the touch down for an unconverted try and a 32 points to 5 advantage for the hosts. In the final minute of the game a kick through the Selby defence on the left provided winger Ben Barron with the touchdown after he won the race to the line for the final score of the game and a 37 points to 5 win for Brodleians in a game in which Selby never gave up trying.

Next Saturday, Selby have another tough assignment when they return to Halifax to take on an improving Heath.