Yarnbury RFC 36 v 19 Selby RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

On a typical Yarnbury mud heap, Selby found the heavy going difficult to come to terms with and a first half during which they conceded 22 unanswered points made a second half comeback a mountain too far. A penalty count of 13 to 2 also gives a pointer to why the home side were able to build such a commanding lead, with stand out player of the afternoon, Fly Half Kieran Davies, slotting 5 penalties and an excellent conversion in the first 40 minutes. The home side opened their account after just 4 minutes when Selby were deemed guilty of not rolling away at the tackle and Davies made no mistake from the tee. Penalties then followed at regular intervals and when Selby were again caught offside after 22 minutes Alex Webster was the unfortunate recipient of a yellow card for repeated team infringements.

Selby had little chance to establish any foothold in the Yarnbury half and when they did eventually threaten the home line a dropped ball on the 22 was quickly seized upon by the home Forwards and quick handling soon turned defence into attack with Winger Jack Brown racing in at the corner, Davies's excellent conversion opening up a 19 point lead following four previous successful kicks. A further penalty from Davies in the third minute of time added on served only to compound Selby's frustration going into the break.

It is to Selby's credit that they came out strongly in the second half, the Forwards proving more than a match for their opposite numbers. The second half was only 6 minutes old when the visitors finally got their name on the score board, Second Row Mark Tanner being awarded the try following a strong drive and a period of concerted pressure on the Yarnbury line. Josh Cruise hit an excellent conversion and within 4 minutes the same player created a try for Scrum Half Danny Wilkinson when his vision and astute kick gave Wilkinson the chance to win the race for the touchdown. Another excellent conversion reduced the deficit to 22-14 and suddenly it appeared that it was “game on”.

Unfortunately any signs of optimism were soon dispelled when another penalty in favour of the home side gave Davies the chance to kick to the Selby 5 metre line and a clean take at the line out allowed the forwards to suck in the defence before the ball was spun wide where Full Back Will Marshall was on hand to claim the try. Another fine kick from Davies re-established a 15 point cushion at 29 points to 14. For the next 20 minutes play regularly switched from end to end as both sides went in search of further points with both sides creating, but not capitalising on, promising attacking play. With 73 minutes on the clock it was Selby who broke the period of stalemate when replacement James Hunt was driven over after the Forwards turned over possession from a Yarnbury line out on the home side's 5 metre line. Cruise's conversion drifted narrowly wide and the visitors remained 10 points in arrears with just 7 minutes to salvage something from the game. As the final whistle approached it was the home side who finally put all outcomes beyond doubt when a fine individual try by Davies saw him run under the sticks, giving himself the easiest of conversions and sealing a deserved 36 points to 19 victory.

The defeat means that Selby have dropped into one of the 2 relegation places for the first time this season and now face a couple of absolutely crucial games against bottom club North Ribblesdale and Acklam. However, as both of these games will be at Sandhill Lane, there must be a great chance of a couple of victories which would go some way to ensuring Yorkshire 1 safety for another season. With another week off this week Selby will be hopeful that injuries will not play a part in selection prior to the Acklam game and that the side selected are able to prepare fully for what is without doubt the most important game of the season so far.