Despite a prolonged spell of rain in recent weeks, the Scarborough pitch was in good condition, if a little soft in places. Under clear blue skies and with barely a breeze, conditions were far better than most of the travelling Selby support had dared to expect.

Selby kicked off looking purposeful as Scarborough went through several phases without making significant ground, eventually knocking on to hand the visitors an early opportunity. The Selby pack secured clean ball — something they would do consistently throughout the afternoon and one of the few real positives on a testing day. Driving with control, the forwards marched Scarborough back towards their own line, and from close range Hola forced his way over. Charlie Bramley converted to give Selby a 7–0 lead after just five minutes.

Unfortunately, that proved to be as good as it got for the visitors. Scarborough gradually found their rhythm, demonstrating impressive ball retention, strong support play and the qualities that have taken them to the top of Regional League 2.

A sharp break from the home scrum-half on halfway set the platform for their first score. After carrying play into the Selby 22, the forwards released the backs for a well-worked try out wide, the conversion levelling the scores at 7–7.

Selby briefly regained the lead through a Bramley penalty following an infringement at the breakdown, but Scarborough responded almost immediately with a straightforward kick of their own. At 10–10 the game was finely poised, yet it was the home side who seized control before the break, adding another well-constructed try — the right winger crossing for his second — to take a 17–10 lead into half-time.

Just one score behind at the restart, Selby needed a strong opening to the second half. Instead, Scarborough dominated possession and territory, with Selby struggling to build sustained pressure. A forward-driven try soon extended the lead, and within minutes the game had effectively slipped away. A clever chip through the defensive line created the bonus-point score, before a perfectly timed run through the heart of the Selby defence stretched the advantage to 36–10.

With a quarter of the match remaining, the prospect of a heavy defeat loomed. Credit to Selby, however, they refused to fold. As possession evened out, the Selby forwards began to assert themselves once more, repeatedly driving Scarborough back into their own 22. Persistence and close support eventually created space for Harry Tunningley to power over for a deserved try.

Selby were not finished. As full time approached, Harrison Green produced a superb solo run from halfway to reduce the deficit further to 36–22 and give the travelling support something to cheer. Any hopes of a late flurry were ended when Scarborough stole a Selby lineout deep in their own half and kicked to touch to secure the win.

A difficult afternoon overall, but one that showed resilience and forward dominance that Selby will look to build upon in the weeks ahead.