A blast from days gone by saw three teams from one club visiting Sandhill Lane, as Scarborough brought their firsts, seconds, and ladies’ sides from the east coast. Selby fielded a familiar line-up, with the only change being recent signing Dan Evans on the left wing. The day drew the biggest crowd of the season so far — helped along by Oktoberfest celebrations.

Scarborough started confidently, showing the intent of a club with both ambition and impressive facilities. They enjoyed plenty of possession in the Selby half, but resolute defence kept them outside the 22.

When Selby finally got their hands on the ball, it took just a couple of phases for Alex Webster to slice through midfield. Fellow centre James Bramley supported and put in a long-range kick that Scarborough were forced to take into touch near their own line. From the resulting line-out, the ball was spread quickly right, the centres combining again as Webster made another break before Bramley crossed easily in the far-right corner. Charlie Bramley added a superb conversion into a stiff headwind.

Selby then took control but couldn’t add to their tally until the 27th minute. With Antun Wilson and Joey Reid replaced by Liam Hogan and Jamie Dentith, the impact was immediate. A penalty for holding on gave Selby field position in the left corner. Finn Wotton — excellent all afternoon in the lineout — took cleanly, and after powerful work from Hogan, the ball was recycled and moved left for Joe Scholefield to dive over. The conversion went wide, but Selby led 12–0.

From the restart, Selby’s forwards secured possession and Archie Bennett (sponsored by Gatesyde Properties) sent a towering kick that Charlie Bramley claimed brilliantly in the air. The Swans camped in Scarborough territory until the half-time whistle, five metres out and 12–0 up.

Wilson and Hogan swapped back for the second half, with Reid replacing the industrious Ryan Lamb. Both sides shared early possession before Selby broke the deadlock with a stunning length-of-the-field move. Bennett’s audacious round-the-back pass sent Wilson clear, before James Bramley continued the attack and released Scholefield for his second try. Another excellent wide conversion followed.

Scarborough responded on the hour with a try out wide to keep their hopes alive. But Selby’s forwards soon demonstrated the value of their work on the training ground. A Scarborough scrum under the posts was utterly demolished, and from the repeat scrum, Wilson (sponsored by Waingap) broke off to score to the right of the posts. Bramley’s conversion made it 24–7 with fifteen minutes to play.

Meanwhile, Oktoberfest was in full swing as the Selby Ladies — in eye-catching Bavarian dress — joined sponsors Pete Foster, Jack Forrest, and Ian Wotton in the Swans’ Nest. Their timing was perfect as New Zealand hunk Joey Reid emerged from a maul, shorts around his ankles, to the crowd’s obvious amusement. Selby remained in control, with second rows Alex Dolat and Sean Campbell carrying hard and creating space for others.

With five minutes left, Scarborough’s hooker Dawson — who had a strong game in the loose — broke free and chipped ahead for a converted try. Another quick score followed, closing the gap to 24–17 and setting up a nervy finish.

But Selby held firm. Scarborough never saw the ball again in the final two minutes as the home side deservedly took the win.
It was an excellent afternoon’s rugby as Selby’s team continues to gel. Pocklington remain the only unbeaten side and sit top of the league, while Selby are one of four teams on three wins, currently in sixth after seven games.

Elsewhere, the second team remain unbeaten with a 45–19 victory over Scarborough, captained by Joe Styrin. The third team lost 34–0 to Ripon seconds, while the ladies went down 32–10 in the early kick-off against Scarborough, with tries from captain Honor Ratcliffe and prop Angel McCormick.

Match Report David Everatt
Photo credit Stephen Rhodes
Pictured: Jack Todd; Joey Reid; Finn Wotton