On a gloriously sunny day in front of a large ‘Farmer’s Day’ crowd, Selby and local rivals Goole dished up a typically bruising derby match, with the Swans coming from behind to take the win in a tighter match than the score-line suggests.

The scene was set from the off as the forwards clattered into each other from the kick off, and the physicality never stopped all match. While the quality of play may not have been of the highest, the commitment from both sides certainly was – and with the referee making his contribution by letting the game flow, the crowd were getting their money’s worth. Both teams made early breaks with good handling moves but both sets of defences were on the job and that is how it remained with Selby’s early possession dominance cancelled out by Goole’s excellent defence; indeed it seemed Goole had more than 15 men at times, as no matter where Selby spread the ball, there were always plenty of Goole defenders on hand.

Selby’s scrummage was well on top, but this advantage was being largely nullified by Goole expertly moving the ball away from the base of their scrum at speed, and then making good yardage through some powerful carrying by their back row. Selby’s lineout on the other hand was a bit of a mess, so any possession from it was scant – and then, with what ball they did get, Goole out-thought them by deliberately not competing and drawing a number of penalties for technical offsides. Selby’s Henry Wright had the chance to break the defensive stalemate with a penalty kick but it slid wide, and then Goole’s Rhys Moore went better with an excellent long-range penalty into the breeze for 0-3 at half-time.

The second half seemed to be following the first with defences, and particularly the marauding Goole back row, well on top - but then Selby’s 18-years old debutant scrum-half, Archie ‘Son of Benoir’ Bennett, brought a tear to his old man’s eyes, and capped a very accomplished man-of-the-match performance, with a super break and interchange of passes with skipper Ash Parkinson, to cross for a great try and 7-3 lead to the Swans. This only spurred Goole on and they took control for the next quarter playing some good stuff and coming perilously close to crossing, but for some mighty defending from Selby on their own line.

With the game still precariously balanced and well into the last 10 minutes, Selby finally drew clear with two cracking tries. Firstly centre Tomasi Tanumi finished off some superb Selby handling and recycling to cross in the left corner and then, following more forward scrummage domination and crisp back play, Bob Robinson repeated the trick in the right corner for a final, and fairly unfair to Goole, score of 19-3.

Selby are now away at Dinnington this Saturday, kick-off 14:15, where the usual tough game will be expected.