Selby suffered another tight loss away at second-placed Old Crossleyans on Saturday but put in a much-improved display from recent weeks to earn a losing bonus point - although with a little bit more composure they may even have been able to take the win.

The exchanges were satisfyingly meaty from the off, and throughout, and it was maybe no coincidence that the return from long-term injury of Liam Hogan played its part as he led from the front in Selby’s physical battles (and confrontations!). After an early flurry of over-refereeing at the breakdowns, which seems to me to correlate strongly with the presence of a referee assessor in the stands, Mr Referee fortunately calmed down and had a pretty good game in letting the game flow for both teams – although Hogan did disappear to the sin bin for his customary 10-minute breather early doors.

Two penalties apiece made it 3-3 but with Selby’s scrummage again dominant the Swans were seeing a lot of the ball – unfortunately though they, and the backs in particular, had a mare in the handling department, so much of their hard work was undone with unforced errors. Crossleyans in contrast were much more secure with their ball, and it is was probably this more than anything else that saw them home for the win.

Another exchange of penalties made it 6-6 but Selby finished the half far stronger as, after a failed long-range penalty attempt from Henry Wright, a series of strong carries with Hogan, Jamie Dentith, and Jay Robinson prominent battered the Crocs line - with Dentith, for the second week running, getting over the line but unable to ground the ball (PS, he would like it to be known he did ground the ball properly last week!).

Crossleyans came out strongly after the break and as Selby’s penalty count started to mount under the pressure, Crossleyans paid them the compliment of recognising they were in a tight battle by kicking a penalty for 9-6 rather than going for the try. Selby’s pack did the business again though from the restart as they disintegrated the Crocs scrummage for Wright to level at 9-9 with 20 minutes to go. With Hogan now sailing very close to wind for a second yellow, and his lack of finishing-school charm starting to irritate everyone of a Crossleyans’ persuasion (although, to be fair, Crossleyans themselves were no choir boys), he had to be diplomatically withdrawn for everyone’s safety - and to put an end to an energetic and productive come-back display.

A clever chip and chase from the Crossleyans winger earned good position for another penalty to take the lead at 12-9, and then more good recycling got them another for 15-9 to stretch their lead. Selby had their chances in the last 10 minutes to possibly steal the win with a converted try, and engineered several promising positions to do so – but to no avail as their handling gremlins continued, and it was entirely fitting that the final whistle was blown after yet another Selby knock on.

So, overall, a good battling display from the Swans, which they will hope to convert into a win at home to Beverley on Saturday, kick off 14:15.