NORTHERN DIVISION - YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.
SELBY RUFC 35 – 20 HEATH RUFC

Referee – Mr. Brian Mulligan – Central Yorkshire Society

Another thrilling encounter at Sandhill Lane on Saturday against a very organised and determined Heath XV and probably the best side Selby have faced all season saw Selby eventually come out on top winning the game by a slightly flattering 35 points to 20 margin. Despite opening the scoring early in the game, Selby soon found themselves in arrears by 13 points to 5. However, by half time Selby had hauled themselves back into the game at 13 points apiece. They then went on to build a 25 points to 13 lead but then had to defend desperately as Heath put then under tremendous pressure and were awarded a penalty try to bring themselves back to within one score of Selby – memories of the Wath Upon Dearne defeat by the narrowest margin came flooding back to the considerable home support but Selby, this time, dug in, and eventually closed out the game with a converted try and a drop goal with the last play of the game.

Sam Weller was back at centre for Selby with Rihi Brown preferred at number 8 – Charlton McCoy, Martin Protheroe and Mark Tanner made up the bench.

All the very early pressure came from Selby and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the fourth minute with an unconverted try in the corner from flanker Jacob Robinson, his seventh try of the season. Heath then started to dictate reducing their arrears with a penalty from fly half Ezra Hinchliffe 5 minutes later. They then went in front with a very well-worked try from their winger Mick Gleeson with Hinchliffe adding the extras. After 21 minutes Heath took a 13 points to 5 lead with another Hinchliffe penalty. Mark Tanner replaced Thomas Bell 4 minutes later and after Heath were penalised after 29 minutes for handling in the ruck, Josh Cruise reduced Selby’s arrears with his only successful penalty in the game. Martin Protheroe replaced young Alex Oliver and with skipper Duncan Hardy having taken a blow to the head, Thomas Bell was back on at prop prior to a penalty miss from Cruise after 33 minutes. Selby were very much back in the game now with Rihi Brown punching holes in the Heath defence – after Brown was brought down 25 metres out Selby retained possession with scrum half Neil Francis cleverly switching play and feeding full back Dan Porter who breached the Heath defence before releasing centre Teihana Brown who went over for an unconverted try after 37 minutes. Half time arrived with the scores level at 13 points apiece and all to play for in the second half.

Selby went back in front after 45 minutes after a superb break by Jacob Robinson released the Selby’s backs to run the ball to the corner with Cruise getting the touch down – the difficult conversion was missed. Selby extended their lead only 3 minutes later after Heath lost the ball from an attacking position inside the Selby 22 with winger Alex Arthur picking up before making massive inroads into the Heath defence before releasing Dan Porter who outstripped the opposition to touch down under the posts and give Cruise a straightforward conversion and Selby a 25 points to 13 advantage. Charlton McCoy replaced Alex Arthur at this point with Duncan Hardy back on for Thomas Bell after 55 minutes but it was Heath who were putting tremendous pressure on the Selby defence now and after forcing consecutive 5 metre scrums after being held up over the Selby try-line the referee awarded a penalty try after 2 scrum infringements by the Selby forwards – the easy conversion was kicked by Hinchliffe to bring Heath back to within a score of Selby – it was certainly ‘squeaky bum’ time for the Selby supporters with Heath continuing to pressurise the Selby line and they were nearly over the try line again after 59 minutes but an unforced error allowed Selby to clear their lines. A 48 metre penalty from Cruise after 70 minutes fell agonisingly short. Thomas Bell again re-joined the fray, replacing Hardy who was still feeling the effects of his previous injury. A minute later Selby at last created some breathing space for themselves after being awarded a penalty 20 metres out – Heath were taken completely by surprise with Francis taking a quick tap penalty to Cruise who breached the Heath defence for the try near the posts – Cruise’s conversion made it 32 points to 20 for Selby. Selby also had the last word in the second minute of added-on-time, and the last play of the game, after winning their own scrum (one of the few they won all afternoon) on the Heath 22 metre line – Protheroe picked up from the base of the scrum feeding Cruise who calmly slotted the drop goal to give Selby a 35 points to 20 bonus point victory and move them up to 5th place in Yorkshire 1.

Next Saturday, Selby have a tough trip to Ilkley to contend with (Kick Off 3 P.M.) History will suggest that Ilkley should be odds on favourites to win this one with Selby never having beaten them in 8 times of asking in League Rugby with 2 draws and 6 defeats from the 8 games played to date. Selby then have 2 consecutive home League fixtures against Scarborough (still unbeaten in Yorkshire 1) on Saturday 19 October and Old Brodleians on Saturday 26 October.