NORTHERN DIVISION – YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 2
SELBY RUFC 10 – 7 HULLENSIANS RUFC

Referee – Ms. Jenny Burrows – Leicestershire Society

Hullensians came to Sandhill Lane fired-up and determined to spoil the party and they very nearly could have done. Although Selby probably did just enough to deserve the win this performance was certainly not one of their best and is a massive wake-up call at this crucial time of the season. Selby now require 2 more points to be assured of re-gaining their Yorkshire 1 League status and with games still to come at Doncaster Phoenix and at home to Sheffield Medicals, it is by no means guaranteed that this can be achieved.

Selby started the first half playing into a strong breeze and were quickly on the defensive conceding early penalties, the first of which, after 3 minutes was very kickable but the Hullensians fly half Clayton McCloud missed the opportunity – a minute later the same player missed an ambitious effort from 49 metres. Selby then began to exert pressure on the Hullensians defence with some strong running from their forwards but possession was turned over by the aggressive Hullensians forwards on at least 2 occasions. Selby were then held up over the Hullensians line after 10 minutes and shortly afterwards conceded a penalty for ‘holding on’ to lose their attacking advantage. Hullensians were penalised after 17 minutes for offside but Josh Cruise missed the penalty chance from 20 metres. Six minutes later Selby conceded a scrum on their 15 metre line after they were dubiously penalised for a forward pass – Hullensians won their scrum with winger John Wilson scything through the Selby defence for a try under the posts with McCloud kicking the straightforward conversion. Another kickable penalty chance to Selby after 27 minutes went astray. Matthew Wood replaced Martin Protheroe after 34 minutes and 3 minutes later Selby at last put points on the board with a penalty from Cruise. Shortly afterwards, Hullensians replacement Neil O’Donnell was yellow carded for coming in at the side. Half time arrived with Hullensians in the lead by 7 points to 3.

Selby started the second half with the advantage of the breeze and took the lead for the first time in the match after 3 minutes of the half after Cruise picked up a loose ball on the Hullensians 30 metre line and offloading to winger Alex Arthur who jinked his way into the Hullensians defence before passing to Duncan Hardy who released centre Alex Webster to score a good try under the posts – Cruise converted to put Selby in front by 10 points to 7. A drop goal attempt from Cruise after 48 minutes and an ambitious penalty shot from nigh on 50 metres from the same player both failed to find their target before Iain Adamson replaced Alex Arthur. A couple of minutes later Hullensians second row forward Adam Atkinson suffered a nasty knee dislocation with the game then held up for 11 minutes with the re-start taking place on the 2nd XV pitch and Martin Protheroe back on for Brendan Lanaghan. It was mostly all Selby pressure now with Hullensians defending stoically – Hullensians were further disadvantaged after 82 minutes when their Captain, scrum half Chris Smith, was yellow carded but Selby were still unable to make any sort of penetration through a solid Hullensians defence. Mark Tanner replaced Thomas Coates after 85 minutes. On one of their, by now, rare forays into Selby territory, Hullensians were awarded a penalty within kickable distance, although into the breeze, but Hullensians chose to kick to touch rather than go for the penalty which, had it been successful, would have given them a draw – they lost possession with Selby once more on the attack with Cruise sending a final penalty chance wide before the final whistle signalled the end of the game and a win, if unimpressive, for Selby by 10 points to 7.