NORTHERN DIVISION - YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.
SELBY RUFC 55 – 15 KEIGHLEY RUFC

Referee – Mr. Dean Walker – South Yorkshire Society

Keighley, struggling for survival in Yorkshire 1, arrived at Sandhill Lane on Saturday full of determination and, for the first quarter of the game, their performance belied their 13th place in the Division. They went in front as early as the first minute and caused Selby plenty of problems for the next 18 minutes and looked the better team. However, Selby pulled away to lead by 12 points to 5 after 25 minutes – a penalty for Keighley reduced their arrears to 12 points to 8 but a further penalty and a converted try gave Selby an interval lead of 22 points to 8. With Keighley running out of steam in the second half, Selby ran riot, running in another 5 tries, 4 of which were converted, before Keighley scored a converted consolation try in added on time with Selby running out winners by 55 points to 15.

With prop Andrew Pocklington, winger Charlton McCoy and second row Alex Oliver all unavailable, Tom Bell was recalled to start at prop with Alex Hare back on the wing in place of McCoy – Alex Arthur started at centre with Sam Weller on the bench. There was a welcome return on the bench for flanker Jacob Robinson after spending 7 weeks on the sidelines. Mark Tanner also started on the bench as prop replacement.

Keighley kicked off to the Leeds Road end with the ball safely gathered by the Selby defence but turnover ball gave Keighley an instant advantage – excellent pressure by the Keighley forwards resulted in full back Adam Horsfall going over for the try in the very first minute but fly half Alex Brown failed to convert. At this stage of the game it was all Keighley with their forwards proving a handful for the Selby defence who conceded a very kickable penalty in the 11th minute but once again Brown failed with his kick. Dominic Bosher had to be temporarily replaced after 17 minutes with an arm injury with Jacob Robinson making an early entrance to the fray. Selby at last started to play and equalised in the 20th minute after excellent passing and running by Alex Hare and Ben Lunt put the Selby man-of-the match, hooker Sam Cruise, over for the try – no conversion but Selby were back on level terms and went into the lead 5 minutes later after a superb Jacob Robinson break resulted in a try for centre Teihana Brown converted by Josh Cruise giving Selby a 12 points to 5 lead. More pressure from Keighley after the Selby defence lost the ball from the kick-off eventually told with a penalty for offside conceded after 28 minutes – Alex Brown made no mistake this time but Selby restored their 7 point cushion with a Josh Cruise penalty after Keighley were caught offside 3 minutes later. Selby now started to dominate and should have increased their lead after 36 minutes after a dazzling run by flanker Rihi Brown but the final pass went outside with 2 backs waiting unopposed on the inner and the move came to nothing. Selby did increase their lead however, after 39 minutes, after a successful lineout on the Keighley 20 metre line with fly half Dan Porter receiving from scrum half Neil Francis before offloading to winger Ben Lunt who sprinted through a gap in the Keighley defence for a try near the posts – a successful Cruise conversion gave Selby an interval lead of 22 points to 8.

Selby started the second half in the ascendancy, their pressure resulting in a Josh Cruise penalty which was missed after 42 minutes but 7 minutes later more excellent back play by Porter and Hare put Teihana Brown over for Selby’s bonus point try and his second try of the match – with a successful conversion Selby now had a 29 points to 8 advantage. Mark Tanner now replaced Tom Bell at prop with Dominic Bosher back on for Tom Cobley after 58 minutes – Sam Weller also joined the fray 4 minutes later replacing Alex Arthur. Only a minute later Selby were further in front after another superb break by Porter before offloading to winger Alex Hare who sped over for his 10th try in 10 appearances for the Club – Cruise converted for a 36 points to 8 lead to Selby. After 68 minutes Tom Bell was back on Jason Cicero who had, once again, given a solid performance in the second row. Selby were running amok now with Porter over for his 16th try of the season – another conversion by Cruise was followed by Selby’s final substitution, Tom Cobley returning to the action in place of skipper Duncan Hardy in the 71st minute – he only had to wait another 4 minutes before scoring his first try for the Club after being put through by Jacob Robinson who was having an excellent game on his return to 1st XV action – a rare Cruise conversion miss but Selby were in front by 48 points to 8. After 79 minutes the icing was on the cake for Robinson who went over for a well-deserved try and with Cruise converting, Selby had a massive 55 points to 8 advantage. However, Keighley, who had fought on gamely throughout the match forced Selby back into their 22, winning a line-out on the 5 metre line – a successful catch and unstoppable drive saw Leigh Sugden credited with the try – Alex Brown converted with the final whistle signalling a 55 points to 15 win for Selby.

This win takes Selby up to 5th in Yorkshire 1 – they are now top points and try scorers in the Division but face a tricky fixture next Saturday when they travel to take on Heath, who, despite losing by 35 points to 20 at Sandhill Lane earlier in the season, looked one to be one the better sides Selby have faced. Selby then return to Sandhill Lane on the 25th January to take on the current League leaders Ilkley.