Leodiensian RUFC 23 - 17 Selby RUFC

A fine kick by Iain Adamson deep into stoppage time rescued a losing bonus point for Selby for the second consecutive game, but it was scant reward for the Swans considering some of the fine rugby they played and the opportunities they created against table topping Leodiensians.

The first quarter of an hour saw a pretty even contest with Leo’s winger Neil Lui giving glimpses of what a danger he would pose if given the opportunity, however it was Selby who opened the scoring through man of the match James Blaymire on 15 minutes. A promising attacking break by full back Ben Lunt provided an opening for winger Alex Arthur, but when the pass was dropped a penalty was awarded to Selby from which the tap was quickly taken and the ball spread wide to the rampaging Blaymire who crashed over close to the sticks, giving Adamson a straightforward conversion and the visitors a 7 point lead.

As the game ebbed and flowed it was Leo’s who were next to score. A harshly awarded penalty against Selby was kicked to within 5 metres of the try-line and from the resulting line-out the home forwards secured clean possession, driving the Selby 8 back over their own line for a forwards try awarded to hooker Martin McIntosh. With the conversion missing, Selby maintained a slender 2 point advantage through to the break; however they might well have increased their lead had the quality of the final pass matched the quality of their approach play.

The second half was barely a minute old when Blaymire made a tremendous burst through the heart of the Leo’s defence. His offload to Alex Webster, deputising for the influential but injured Sam Weller created the space for the centre to set up winger Ollie Saunders who finished clinically midway between the posts and touch. A good conversion by Adamson stretched the lead to 9 points with plenty of time still to play. For the remainder of the half Selby continued to press and looked dangerous whenever they moved the ball however it was Leo’s who were able to chip away at the lead as first a penalty for offside kicked by former Leeds Rhinos player Henry and then a try for winger Lui (following a turnover when Selby were on the attack) reduced the deficit to just one point at 14-13 in Selby’s favour.

Leo’s took the lead for the first time on the hour mark when a penalty for offside in front of the posts gave Henry another simple kick at goal from just outside the 22. Despite the setback Selby continued to launch attacks from all parts of the field and it was very much against the run of play that Leo’s were able to extend their lead when Henry, cleverly using the referee as a decoy, jinked his way over by the posts. At 23-14 down it looked as though Selby might return with nothing to show for all their hard work and skilful play, but one last desperate attack forced a penalty from the home defence and an excellent penalty kick from Adamson into the breeze at least secured the thoroughly deserved bonus point.

With home games to come against Doncaster Phoenix and close rivals Goole, Selby will be hoping to find the real cutting edge and ensure they stay in the mix before their challenging away fixture at high flying Barnsley two weeks on Saturday.