Selby RUFC 6 – 43 Middlesbrough RUFC

Report by Ian Marlow

Selby took on Yorkshire One high-flyers Middlesbrough at home on Saturday, and while some may have difficulty judging whether the far northern town is actually in Yorkshire or not, Swans supporters were left in no doubt that their rugby team were from a different planet - as they obliterated Selby with as good a first half performance as could be remembered at Sandhill Lane.

Selby were at near full strength but that didn’t help much as Middlesbrough punished the hosts’ first unforced infringement by kicking to the corner and driving the line-out over for 0-5 within minutes. And the pressure then never stopped as Selby’s next infringement was again kicked into the corner, where only desperate defending held ball up over the line. The reprieve was short-lived though as from the next play Middlesbrough finished the job by crossing for 0-12.

The visitors were now running riot with forward and backs alike playing with power, speed and skill and the Swans were simply overpowered by the far better side. The two Middlesbrough centres were a particular problem for Selby all game, and from a bruising run up the middle the ball was expertly recycled for another try and 0-19 after 15 minutes - and game effectively over.

Selby were getting precious little ball, and what little they did get came accompanied by a thumping Middlesbrough defence which was every bit as impressive as their attack, and with Selby struggling to hang onto the ball long enough to get to even thinking about playing their own game, Middlesbrough broke away up the middle again for another try and 0-26 at twenty minutes. A further penalty and fifth try to Middlesbrough took the half-time score to a full-value 0-36 - and while Swans supporters could have felt blessed to have watched such excellent rugby (and for such a nominal fee!), it would have been nice, and not quite so humbling, if it wasn’t all at Selby’s expense!

To Selby’s credit they were much better during the second half, certainly score-wise, and if the visitors hadn’t been quite so far out-of-sight, a competitive game may even have broken out. Selby’s scrum even became dominant and after a fine long kick from stand-in scrum-half Joe Ramsay had gained good field position, the Swans pack did the business for Number 8 Jamie Ibbetson to touch down Selby’s consolation score. Selby did put together some good back moves that came close as the game opened out, but the Middlesbrough defence held firm and then they closed the scoring, and game, with a sparkling handling move of their own for a final score of 5-43.

Selby now have a delicious derby game against long-standing foes, and friends, Goole, at home this coming Saturday, kick off 14:15 – and they need not dwell on this reversal too much as, with all respect to Goole, they are not going to play like Middlesbrough (probably!)