There was no room for complacency for Selby in this important game with Skipton who were full of confidence after only their second win of the season when they beat Ripon last Saturday, their first win coming in early September 2012 when they disposed of Castleford at Willowbridge Lane by 50 points to 11. However, although this wasn’t one of Selby’s better performances, with ball retention a problem throughout large parts of the game, they were good enough in the end to secure a bonus point win with their 4th try coming after 11 minutes of added on time at the end of the game.

Selby were able to start with their selected squad, although without the unavailable prop Andrew Pocklington, hooker Josh Greenfield on Yorkshire Under 20’s duty and the injured Matthew Wood. Skipper Duncan Hardy started at prop with Mark Tanner replacing Greenfield at hooker. Second row forward Brendan Lanaghan started only his 3rd game this season.

Selby had a dream start after only 45 seconds of the game when Skipton were rather harshly penalised for accidental offside straight from the kick-off. The Selby forwards duly won the scrum with number 8 Martin Protheroe picking up from the base of the scrum and forging his way through the Skipton defence before offloading to flanker James Blaymire who forced his way over for the try improved by fly half Josh Cruise. Skipton reduced their arrears after 9 minutes when Selby were penalised for ‘going over the top’ with Skipton fly half Darren Howsan kicking the penalty. Cruise replied in kind 3 minutes later to restore Selby’s 7 point advantage. Skipton then had their best spell of the game with their forwards taking control, showing excellent ball retention skills, and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored despite some excellent Selby defending - the score came after 17 minutes with flanker Ben Hall forcing his way over for the try but Howsan failed to capitalise with the conversion. Selby replied 3 minutes later when an astute cross kick by Cruise found winger Ben Lunt who made excellent progress down the flank before releasing to full back Dan Porter to score the 1st of his 3 tries – Cruise converted to put Selby in front by 17 points to 8. More Skipton pressure then resulted in Selby being penalised for holding on with Howsan kicking the penalty to reduce Skipton’s arrears to 6 points. Cruise then failed with a difficult 45 metre penalty chance. With Selby then on the attack and looking likely to increase their lead, the referee inexplicably blew for half time after only 36 minutes had been played!

Selby increased their lead after only 7 minutes of the second half after turning a Skipton scrum and earning the ‘put in’ – the scrum was duly won with the ball spread to Cruise who dropped a goal. Selby were now having most of the play, but with possession being regularly turned over by both sides, it wasn’t until the 60th minute, with Selby camped on the Skipton 5 metre line, that any further score was registered. After the Selby forwards won their scrum, Cruise sent out a long pass for Porter to score his second try with Cruise once again converting. Skipton then started gradually to pressurise the Selby defence but mistakes by both sides and some excellent defending by Selby prevented any further score from the hosts, although they were generally quicker in the breakdown and regularly stealing Selby ball. Deep into stoppage time Selby cleared their lines and won the lineout on the Skipton 40 metre line – the ball was spread to the backs with Cruise and centre Sam Weller (who had tackled magnificently throughout the game) enabling full back Dan Porter to weave his way over the try line from fully 50 metres to snatch his hat-trick and the bonus point try totally against the run of play and after 11 minutes of stoppage time – the conversion attempt by Cruise failed but Selby had done enough to retain 2nd placed spot in Yorkshire 2, one point ahead and one game in hand over Yarnbury.