NORTHERN DIVISION – YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.

PONTEFRACT RUFC 28 – 29 SELBY RUFC

REFEREE: MR CHRIS LUNN – EAST YORKSHIRE SOCIETY

If history is anything to go by, then this was always going to be another close encounter in a ‘derby game’ that doesn’t get much bigger than Pontefract Vs Selby. Having played each other on 23 occasions in League rugby since the League structure began in 1987 and prior to this game, Pontefract had 11 wins to Selby’s 10 with 2 games drawn and Selby marginally ahead on points’ difference by 3!!

After last Saturday’s disappointing result at Sandhill Lane against the then Yorkshire 1 basement side, Old Brodleians, this was an important game for Selby who, although seemingly lying in a comfortable 7th place, had a handful of Clubs snapping at their heels just below them in the table.

Selby were bolstered by the return of centre Peter Turner and winger Jack Guest from lengthy injury lay-offs. With Martin Protheroe back in the pack at second row and new recruit James Coventry starting on the bench, the Selby team had a more balanced look about it than in recent weeks.

Selby started well with Pontefract conceding penalties on 5, 7 and 9 minutes but Selby full back Josh Cruise was only able to convert the one in the 7th minute when Pontefract were penalised for not rolling away. Selby increased their lead after 15 minutes after the Pontefract defence made a hash of clearing a long high kick out of the Selby defence – the ball was dropped and after a favourable ricochet fly half Cody Whittaker hacked the ball to the try line for an unconverted try to put Selby 8 points to nil in front. Pontefract reduced their arrears after 20 minutes when a kick out of the Selby defence failed to find touch – the ball was safely gathered with a Pontefract back putting in a massive cross-field kick for stand-out winger Jordan Gill winning an unlikely race for the touchdown – a tactic that Pontefract used to good effect on numerous occasions – fly half Glenn Boyd missed the conversion with Selby in front by 8 points to 5 and they increased that advantage after 25 minutes with a Cruise penalty after Pontefract were penalised for handling in the ruck. Three minutes later, Selby went further in front with a second try for fly half Cody Whittaker after excellent work by skipper Duncan Hardy and his forwards set up the platform for the ball to be spread wide to the backs and for winger Jack Guest to put Whittaker over for the try – again, no conversion but with Selby having what seemed to be a fairly comfortable lead at 16 points to 5. However, a fired-up Pontefract then retained the ball from their kick-off and proceeded to exert tremendous pressure on the Selby line with Pontefract’s other outstanding player on the day, Matt Williams, going over for a try near the posts after a 5 metre scrum – Boyd converted to peg Selby back to 16 points to 12 after 33 minutes. Only 5 minutes later, Pontefract took the lead for the first time in the game after another massive cross-field kick was expertly gathered by winger Jordan Gill for a gift wrapped try – Boyd kicked the conversion to give his side a 19 points to 16 advantage. Selby drew level after 39 minutes with another Cruise penalty after Pontefract were penalised for crossing in front of their posts – the interval arrived with the side’s level at 19 points apiece and still all to play for.

The second half started badly for Selby after they were penalised in the first minute of the half for ‘not rolling away’. With Boyd off the pitch replacement Liam Kay kicked an excellent long range penalty to put Pontefract back in front at 22 points to 19. Selby had chances to re-take the lead but penalties after 44 and 46 minutes were both missed by Cruise. After 50 minutes, both sides were down to 14 with Phil Lane (Pontefract) and Cody Whittaker (Selby) yellow carded and a penalty, originally awarded to Selby, reversed. Another successful Liam Kay penalty after 52 minutes gave Pontefract a 25 points to 19 advantage. At this stage of the game things were not looking good for Selby but with both sides back to full strength after 62 minutes they re-took the lead 6 minutes later after a penalty kick found touch on the Pontefract 5 metre line – the ball was cleanly taken by the Selby forwards who drove over the try line to give new recruit James Coventry a debut try – Cruise, this time, kicked an excellent conversion from near the touch-line to put Selby back in front by 26 points to 25. Still, this roller coaster of a match had more drama to offer to both sets of nervous supporters with Selby caught offside after 72 minutes and Kay kicking another excellent penalty for Pontefract to re-take the lead at 28 points to 26. Only 3 minutes later, Pontefract were themselves caught offside in front of their posts – fly half Josh Cruise kept his nerve and put Selby back in front with his most important kick of the afternoon to give Selby a 29 points to 28 advantage. Selby clung on to their lead despite surviving quite a few scary moments in the last 8 minutes of the game.

As a result of this win, Selby hold onto their 7th position in Yorkshire 1 and now have a four point cushion between them and the 8th place team, Wath Upon Dearne. Next Saturday, Selby travel to Halifax to take on Heath who they defeated by 20 points to 17 at Sandhill Lane back in September. There are no easy games in what has turned out to be one of the most competitive Yorkshire 1 Leagues in recent years.