Selby’s second home game and fourth match of the season saw Malton and Norton visit Sandhill Lane. In a rare occurrence, the same starting fifteen was named following last week’s victory over Pontefract.

Off the field, the Clubhouse hosted sponsors’ guests Liam Howley (Everheat) and Bob Lowery Roofing, along with lunchtime regulars Pete Pemberton and Mick Walton, ensured a well-attended event, while the Swans Nest hosted Match Day Sponsors, Pearwood Financial Planning.

Selby started under pressure. Malton struck a post with a penalty after seven minutes before Selby cleared. The home pack then dominated two scrums, the second drawing a penalty as Moores, Todd and Wotton exerted pressure. Selby soon opened the scoring: Ben Hodder accelerated over the 22, Harry Clarke linked with Ash Parkinson, and Parkinson’s over-the-top pass put Lucian Letorey in for a try.

The visitors pulled a second penalty attempt wide before a speculative high kick caught Selby out. The unpredictable bounce was hacked on and Malton levelled with a try.

Selby’s next try came from a breakout by hooker Jack Todd (sponsor VSM Grow Tech). Looking leaner and quicker this season, Todd made a twenty-yard break and, as he was tackled, fed second row James Hunt in support to touch down. Ben Poskitt converted.

Parkinson was replaced by Will Carr, but the youngster suffered what appeared to be a nasty knee injury almost immediately and Parkinson returned.

Malton were looking for the respite of half time but were hit by two quick tries. The forwards drove hard before James Bramley thrust through the centre, with Letorey on hand to score his second. From the restart Selby won a scrum penalty advantage, and this time Bramley sliced through a midfield gap to score next to the posts. Poskitt converted and Selby led 24-5 at the break.

Five minutes into the second half the hosts extended their lead. Scrum half Clarke made the break, Dan Reid supported, and Bramley scored his second. Another try followed when prop David Moores put Ash Parkinson through with a short pass and the veteran barged over, taking his tally to four tries in an impressive start to the season. Neither was converted.

Malton and Norton hit back with a converted try, and Moores and Bramley then blotted otherwise excellent performances, both yellow-carded in separate incidents.

In an open game Selby scored again. Number eight Antun Wilson set off on a strong 40-metre run from halfway before giving Clarke a short pass to score near the posts. Poskitt converted.

Malton scored a third try with four minutes remaining, and the industrious Ben Lodge replied for Selby in the right-hand corner after a move that crossed the field involving forwards and backs.

The final score of a high-scoring contest was a deserved bonus-point fourth try for the visitors, with most of their backs joining the forwards from a lineout to score in the top left corner near the cricket pavilion. Final score: Selby 46, Malton and Norton 26.

Elsewhere
The 2nd XV made the long journey to Skipton, only to lose 44-21.

The 3rd XV lost 34-28 to York Railway Institute but picked up two useful bonus points. Youngsters Tom Best and Tyler Higgins were prominent: Best for his man of the match performance, Higgins for his bright luminous orange boots. The pair took part in the post-match presentation with gusto, if not success.

The Women’s XV travelled to Hull Ionians and lost 29-22 in an impressive game that showed how far the side has improved. The scoring went back and forth like a table tennis match, and they looked likely to score late on, only for the final whistle to go 30 seconds early. Two bonus points against a side that has played in NC North 2 for several years shows Selby can compete at this level.

Coming Up
The 1st XV travel to Moortown, the 2nd XV are at home to Morley and the 3rd XV host Leeds Medics. The Women’s XV have no fixture.