NORTHERN DIVISION - YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.
SELBY RUFC 6 – 26 DINNINGTON RUFC

Referee – Mr. Paul Garbutt – North Yorkshire Society

Report by Reg Phillips

In front of a large and vociferous crowd well fuelled and lubricated by a buffet luncheon and attractive bar prices to introduce the first members day at the club, Selby turned in a gutsy performance, full of pride which had the league leaders rattled for the best part of the game.

Indeed had their finishing been just a little sharper this was a game that they could have won, and indicates that they will be well worthy of challenging at the top end of the table next season. As it is a top half finish this season is very creditable, particularly given the strains put on the squad by injuries throughout the year.

Selby started brightly and pressured their visitors with some confident play, and could even have been two scores up before off half Josh Cruise broke the deadlock with a long range penalty at the end of the first quarter. This stung Dinnington into action and, playing at a high tempo all afternoon with constant driving & support play, the Swan’s defence was found wanting and full back Tyle Stimpson finished in the corner. Standoff, the all action Johnny West, added the points.

Not daunted, Selby continued to look to attack at every opportunity and with Cruise showing his class with some astute kicking, the home team were very much in the game, and on the stroke of half time, Cruise closed the gap to a single point with another superb penalty, however this was nullified minutes later when prop Marshall crashed over, with West inevitably adding the extras.

The Selby pack had been more than holding their own in the set with the front row of Duncan Hardy, Mark Tanner & Tom Bell causing the opposition some discomfort, but the injury jinx struck again when lock Brendan Lanaghan was helped from the field to continue his horrendous run of bad luck.

Approaching the final quarter, and with the home defence starting to tire following a tremendous defensive effort, Marshall crossed for his second and West converted.
Changes were now made with young prop Joe Romaniw making his debut and the back row being reshuffled, with workhorse Jay Robinson suffering a laceration, another youngster, Charlie Cicero joined the fray.

Dinnington, though were now in rampant mood and mounted wave after wave of attack, and although Selby continued defending doggedly their visitors continued pressing & were rewarded with another score by wingman Leivers to secure a useful bonus point towards their final position.

There was much to be applauded in this Selby performance and with just a trip to Settle and North Ribblesdale left in the season; a win could secure 5th spot, which is to be commended in a very tough and long season, after last year’s promotion.