Selby 34 – 12 West Leeds

Selby followed their promising opening victory against Scarborough with a comfortable win against West Leeds in the first League game of the season, earning themselves a bonus point for scoring more than 4 tries into the bargain.

The game began at breakneck speed but a lack of control and wayward passing meant that Selby were unable to create any clear cut chances to score in the first quarter of an hour, despite the forwards soon gaining the upper hand on the visitors at scrum and line out. It was 18 minutes into the game when Selby opened their account through youngster Jay Robinson who has recently been selected for the Yorkshire Under 18s squad. A strong run and expert offload by fellow back row player James Blaymire created the opening from which Robinson was able to cross for an unconverted try and a 5 nil lead.

West Leeds began to feature more in the game following this score and some dangerous breaks by a lively three-quarter line set alarm bells ringing. West Leeds duly gained their reward after 28 minutes when Paul Gleadhill crossed for a try converted by Dale Breakwell.

The first half was into injury time when Selby re-gained the lead through Yorkshire Under 20s player Alex Webster whose silky running was too much for the West Leeds cover, the subsequent conversion by full back Ben Lunt giving Selby a 12-7 advantage at the break.

Within 6 minutes of the re-start Selby had extended their lead to 12 points when great support play by the ever determined and aggressive Jay Robinson saw him rewarded with his second try of the match, the conversion being successfully kicked again by Lunt.

As the second half approached its half way mark West Leeds again got themselves back within striking distance when Wayne Behan crossed for an unconverted try to reduce the deficit to just 7 points at 19 -12. Ten minutes later the visitors were reduced to 14 men when Steve Anderson was yellow carded and Iain Adamson, on as a replacement for Alex Webster, struck the important penalty which put Selby two scores in front.

The result was put beyond doubt in the final few minutes as West Leeds tired and Selby were able to cross for 2 further tries, the first by Duncan Hardy a carbon copy of the one he scored against Scarborough following excellent handling and support play involving a number of his Selby team mates. Iain Adamson again converted before new Fly Half Joe Butcher completed the scoring in the second minute of time added on. Spotting space behind the visitors backs Butcher chipped ahead and was able to out sprint the covering defenders to touch down for a fine individual try, his first for the club in only his second game. The failed conversion left the final score at 34 -12 in Selby’s favour.

Another large crowd at Sandhill Lane had been given a taste of the talent there is in this year’s first team squad and generally left with a feeling that, though there is room for some improvement, there is great optimism about what is to come, sentiments expressed by many as they recounted the afternoon’s events whilst enjoying the late afternoon sunshine and a glass of their favourite tipple from the bar.