Selby RUFC 29 v 11 Acklam RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

In a typical bottom of the League battle, Selby finally returned to winning ways after a run of 10 consecutive League defeats against a physical Acklam side who enjoyed the majority of possession but rarely showed the invention needed to convert pressure into points. The fact that Selby were also able to secure a try scoring bonus point meant that they climbed 2 places in the Division, but still face a real battle to retain their position in Yorkshire 1. However, the spirit shown in their defence and the confidence gained from this victory will hopefully stir them to even greater efforts in the coming weeks.

Selby kicked off towards the railway end of the ground and after initial pressure on the visitors took the lead after just 8 minutes. A sniping break by scrum half Danny Wilkinson took play into the Acklam 22 and when the ball was regained at the breakdown and moved wide, full back Josh Cruise spotted a gap behind the defence and his well judged kick to the line saw Alex Hare easily win the chase for the try to give his side an early boost. Cruise's excellent conversion from the touchline meant that, from their very first attacking spell Selby had opened up a 7 point lead and set the tone for the afternoon, with Acklam enjoying long periods in the ascendancy but unable to score whilst Selby added to their total practically every time they got into the visitors' half.

Having seized the initiative, Selby were forced onto the back foot for the remainder of the first 40 minutes as the Acklam forwards began to dominate at both set piece and in the loose. Despite having a significant territorial advantage, Acklam chose to attack principally through their forwards, occasionally using their hefty centres to try to crash through the middle of the Selby defence. This made things somewhat easier for the home side who put in a formidable defensive effort, restricting Acklam to just 2 penalty kicks at goal in the remainder of the first half, only one of which full back Daniel Ashton was able to convert to leave the score 7-3 in Selby's favour at the break.

The second half saw Acklam once again on the front foot and within 6 minutes of the re-start the deficit was reduced to a single point as Selby were penalised for offside and Ashton made no mistake with the straightforward kick at goal. The very next time Selby spent time in the Acklam half they came away with a second score. A penalty awarded for not releasing at the tackle was kicked to the Acklam 5 metre line and a text book catch and drive saw skipper Duncan Hardy control the surge to the line to add another try to his already impressive tally. Cruise was unable to add the extras but Selby had an important 6 point advantage with half an hour left to play. Acklam returned to the attack and after a sustained spell of pressure finally reduced the gap to a single point after 61 minutes when repeated drives at the Selby line eventually saw their numbers depleted and replacement winger Josh Abrahams benefitted from the ball being moved away from the forwards. Ashton was unable to convert from wide out but a 1 point lead in favour of the home side ensured that the large crowd were in for a roller coaster last 20 minutes.

When Selby next set foot in the Acklam half they were again able to increase their lead; a penalty awarded for offside after 67 minutes was easily converted by Cruise and the home side lead by 15 points to 11. Huge relief was to follow within a couple of minutes when a dangerous looking break down the Selby left by the Acklam back row was thwarted by replacement Ashton Dallimore who intercepted just outside his 22 and outpaced the Acklam defence on a 65 metre sprint to the line. Cruise's sure conversion opened up the Selby lead to 11 points and effectively sealed the victory for the home side. As the Acklam forwards tired noticeably, the home side went on the attack for a fourth try to seal a bonus point victory and as the game entered time added on they got their reward when a smart move in the backs set up the position from which James Fox, who was forced into the scrum half position following Danny Wilkinson's earlier departure, was able to burrow his way to the line from an attacking ruck close to the Acklam line. Cruise's conversion gave the score-line a rather flattering look at 29 points to 11 and Acklam, who probably had two thirds of possession in the game, will have no doubt felt that they deserved a great deal more than their efforts had produced.

With bottom side North Ribblesdale also gaining a home victory, things don't look any easier for the Selby side in Yorkshire 1. With Acklam now favourites to go down, there is a real battle to avoid the second relegation spot and the North Ribblesdale fixture at Sandhill Lane in late March may well be the defining fixture of the season.