Barnsley RUFC 47 - 13 Selby RUFC

With a number of players injured or otherwise unavailable, Selby travelled to high flying Barnsley for the first time since they confirmed their Yorkshire 2 status as Champions in 2007 with a 23 points to 19 victory but suffered their biggest defeat of this season so far. The home side dominated from first whistle to last and apart from a 10 minute purple patch around the hour mark, Selby were unable to make any real impression on the big and impressive South Yorkshire side.

Barnsley could have taken the lead within a minute of the start when a kick out of defence bounced kindly in the home side’s favour and the subsequent attack almost resulted in a try. However the home supporters did not have to wait long before their team established a lead that was never under threat, when after 5 minutes flanker Joe South scored under the sticks, giving Patrick Jensen an easy conversion. Within a few minutes of the re-start Selby were penalised for not releasing and Jensen was able to stretch the lead to 10 points.

After their sluggish start Selby at last began to make an impression and they were rewarded for their endeavour on 19 minutes when Ben Booth reduced the deficit with a well struck penalty. The rest of the first half saw Barnsley first begin to dominate and then, in a blistering 10 minute spell before the break, take the game well beyond their visitors. A second penalty for Jensen was followed by three tries; one to winger Liam Scorah and two to centre Andrew Appleyard as the home three quarters feasted on the mistakes and hesitancy of the Selby players. With Jensen converting 2 of the tries the half time lead was at 32-3 and Selby were looking in danger of suffering a rout.

With fresh legs being introduced in the forms of Mark Toye, Josh Greenfield and Kevin Lamb, Selby began the second half well and were able to prevent any further score in the first 10 minutes until a scrum won against the head resulted in a second try for winger Scorah. At 37-3 and with nothing to play for but pride Selby had their best spell of the game by some considerable distance and were finally able to cross the Barnsley line after 58 minutes when Karim Brown was credited with the try following the first real spell of sustained pressure from the Selby forwards. A perfectly judged kick through by stand off Iain Adamson after 64 minutes brought about a further try for winger Ollie Saunders who was first to react and quickest in the race to the touchdown. However with Booth unable to convert, that was to signal the end of Selby’s ambition as Barnsley re-established control in the final 15 minutes of the game. A hat-trick try for winger Scorah after 75 minutes was quickly followed by a further score by skipper and Number 8 Dave Reed as the home side finished the game just as they had started it; in command and looking worthy of their elevated status in Yorkshire 2.