ACKLAM RUFC 18 v 43 SELBY RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

On their first visit to the North East for a number of seasons Selby were able to register their first bonus point victory against Acklam who currently sit at the bottom of the Yorkshire 1 table. However Selby did not have everything their own way, going into the half time break 18 points to14 in arrears before a clinical second period saw them race clear with 5 unanswered tries with the benefit of the breeze at their backs.

Acklam started brightly and, having missed a penalty chance after just 3 minutes, opened their account just a minute later when Selby were penalised for a high tackle and Fly Half Daniel Ashton successfully converted the kick at goal. Once Selby were up and running, their expansive style of play started to create problems for the home defence and following a turn over by Prop Ben Booth after 14 minutes, the Selby three quarters handled smartly to create the space for George Stoker to gallop in for his fourth try of the season; Cruise's well struck conversion giving the visitors a 7 points to 3 advantage. The lead was quickly extended when the excellent Centre Alex Hare benefitted from further slick handling after 17 minutes to cross for the first of his two tries for the afternoon. Cruise was again on target as Selby went into a 14-3 lead. Whether it was a drop in intensity by the visitors or an increase in tempo from the home side, the next phase of the game saw Acklam force their way back into the contest as they produced a well-worked try down the left flank for Winger Andrew Dunn.

Although Selby were denied a further score after 27 minutes when Second Row Forward Stephen Clark stepped onto the touchline during a dangerous break down the right hand flank, it was Acklam who took the game by the scruff of the neck by first reducing the deficit to 3 points courtesy of a second successful penalty from Ashton and then taking the lead after 32 when Number 8 Andrew Dalton finished off some enterprising play by scoring under the sticks and Ashton's easy conversion saw the home side ahead by 18 points to 14. Selby finished the half camped on the Acklam line but were unable to force the score that would have given them the lead despite a number of attempts as the home side conceded several penalties as they gave everything they had to keep the Selby Forwards at bay and Selby were unable to turn their unremitting pressure into points.

The second half saw Selby make immediate use of the favourable elements as they drove the Acklam Forwards back into their own 22 and a penalty after 46 minutes gave Selby the chance to opt for a Scrum on the Acklam 5 metre line. The scrum was won without any great difficulty and after several phases of close quarter pick and drive work by the Forwards, Duncan Hardy was finally able to crash over to restore Selby's lead. Cruise's conversion rebounded off the upright but within 5 minutes he was given the chance to make amends when Charlton McCoy was quickest to react to a chip through the home defence by Fly Half James Fox to cross for a try by the side of the posts to ensure a try scoring bonus point, the subsequent conversion opening up an 8 point lead for Selby at 26-18.

Although Acklam tried to match Selby with an expansive style, unfortunately they were unable to execute their moves with sufficient accuracy to cause any real trouble and a defensive mistake after 53 minutes by the home side presented the opportunity for Charlton McCoy to break clear before handing on to Hare to canter in for an easy score which Cruise was unfortunately unable to convert. At 31 points to 18 Selby just needed to close the game down to ensure a morale-boosting 5 point victory but Acklam were intent on making life as difficult as possible. Their sense of adventure was however to prove their undoing as a further error after 76 minutes allowed Selby replacement Scott Hunt to hack the ball downfield but he was caught just 10 metres short of the line but Will Jefferson was quickly up in support to claim the loose ball and cross for Selby's 6th try of the afternoon. The successful conversion stretched Selby's lead to 38 points to 18 and Selby went on to prove they were not yet finished when exciting young Second Row prospect Jack Hebden gained reward for another excellent display as the game moved into time added on for stoppages when he crossed with the very last move of the match. Cruise's unsuccessful conversion brought proceedings to a conclusion with Selby more than satisfied with an improved second half performance which saw them score 5 tries and 29 points without conceding a single point in reply.

The win helped lift Selby to 9th place in the table and they will be looking to consolidate that next Saturday when Bradford Salem visit Sandhill Lane. Last season's fixtures saw Selby concede over 100 points whilst registering one solitary try, but Salem currently sit one place below Selby, so it should be interesting to judge how the fortunes of the two Clubs have altered in the space of just a few months and whether the promise shown in some of Selby's recent performances can be sustained over a run of League fixtures.