Selby RUFC 16 – 24 Old Brodleians RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

On a gloomy afternoon at Sandhill Lane, Selby were unable to find the spark needed to continue where they left off following a terrific performance at Ribblesdale and went down to a disappointing defeat to the League's bottom team Brodleians, who ran out worthy winners in a frustrating contest.

Selby started the stronger of the sides, dominating at scrum, line-out and in loose play but it proved to be a false dawn as Brodleians were allowed to firstly get themselves back into the game and eventually to play with the confidence and self-belief needed to gain only their third win of the season.

With the forwards on top from the kick off Selby didn't have to wait long for their first scoring opportunity when the visitors were penalised for handling in the ruck after just 8 minutes. Although Josh Cruise failed narrowly with the kick, he was soon presented with another chance and after 10 minutes opened his account with a penalty from 25 metres when the Brodleians second row was fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a deliberate knock on as Selby looked likely to score a try.

There then followed a tense 20 minute period of play during which the sides tested each others defensive resolve but it was Brodleians who came out of it the better, firstly scoring a straightforward penalty after 24 minutes through centre Danny Wood when the Selby midfield backs were caught offside under the posts and then immediately seizing the initiative when their number 8 Rob Jennings took advantage of some unusually lax defending to cross wide out. Although the conversion was missed the score gave Brodleians the confidence boost that ultimately helped them to kick on and claim the victory.

Despite not playing their most fluent rugby, Selby managed to regain the lead as strong play by the forwards forced errors in the Brodleians defence and Cruise was on target with 2 successful penalty kicks after 32 and 37 minutes. It seemed that the home side would go into the break with a slender advantage when they were given the chance to clear their lines as play moved into injury time, but a moment of indiscipline at the line out presented Brodleians with a penalty which Wood converted to put his side 2 points ahead.

The Selby faithful were hoping for and expecting better things after the break but were ultimately disappointed as Selby failed to consistently play with the precision needed to break open the stubborn Brodleians defence. The visitors started the second half strongly and, with Selby unable to find touch or seemingly kicking the ball away aimlessly, extended their lead after 46 minutes when their talisman second row Sterling Ross crossed for a well deserved try. The conversion by Wood gave Brodleians the relative comfort of a 9 point advantage but Selby's response was immediate and incisive when skipper Duncan Hardy hit the perfect line to carve his way through the middle of the Brodleians defence and set up the position which resulted in the visitors conceding a penalty just 5 metres from their own line. A quick tap and a powerful surge drove the Selby pack over the line with Hardy gaining his reward when eventually being credited with the try. Cruise hit an excellent conversion to narrow the gap to just 2 points and the home spectators began to believe that victory could still be rescued.

The sense of optimism amongst the support gradually faded as Brodleians returned to the attack and Selby repeatedly offered opportunities to run the ball at their defence courtesy of their poor kicking out of hand. It was therefore no great shock when Wood was presented with the chance to open up his side's lead on 59 minutes as Selby were again caught offside in front of their own sticks. As the visitors began to grow in confidence and sense that the game was there for the taking, the Selby defence became increasingly frantic, offering Wood further kickable chances after 69 minutes and again with just 4 minutes to go. The fact that he was unable to convert either of the kicks gave Selby hope of at least holding on for a losing bonus point but even that was denied them when, in the final minute and in the final play, Wood was presented with one last chance. His kick was straight and true and ensured that Brodleians returned to Hipperholme in great spirits, leaving Selby to lick their largely self inflicted wounds and reflect on a truly disappointing afternoon.