HEATH RUFC 17 – 7 SELBY RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

Christmas cheer was in short supply at Heath as a lacklustre Selby, still reeling under the pressure of a long injury list and unavailability’s, failed to gain any League points in their final game before the Christmas Break. An injury to Jay Robinson at training on Thursday forced a late re-shuffle allowing youngster James Hunt to make his debut in the second row with Martin Protheroe reverting to number 8.

The change in personnel for the fixture caused disruption and meant that the Selby forwards found themselves under severe pressure throughout the 80 minutes with Heath running out deserved victors by 17 points to 7.

The game was only 4 minutes old when the home side took the lead through their stand off Ezra Hinchliffe who converted a penalty awarded for an infringement at the tackle area. As Selby struggled to get a foothold in the game, Heath were able to extend their lead just 10 minutes later when a period of sustained pressure from the forwards created the position from which full back Jacob Storey was able to cross for a try wide out by the touchline. An excellent conversion by Hinchliffe gave his side a 10 point cushion but he was unable to stretch the lead from a penalty awarded after 28 minutes. Selby showed their first real positive intent following the unsuccessful kick and after pounding the Heath line eventually won a scrum on the 5 metre line. Unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on the pressure and a penalty infringement allowed the home side to clear their lines. There were no further scoring opportunities for either side before the half time break which saw Heath turn round with a healthy 10 point advantage.

A kick off that failed to travel the necessary 10 metres put Selby under immediate pressure on the re-start and they were fortunate that Hinchliffe was unable to convert the penalty awarded shortly afterwards. Just 8 minutes into the second half Selby finally cracked open the home side's defence when Ben Booth scored a smart try courtesy of some excellent approach play by his forward colleagues. Josh Cruise struck a tremendous conversion from close to touch and despite all the difficulties, Selby found themselves just one score adrift.

Hinchliffe and Cruise both had chances to add to their tally but were both unsuccessful with kicks at goal in quick succession after 56 and 58 minutes. As the game moved into the final quarter it looked as though the pressure of the Heath forwards would lead to an inevitable score, but luckily for Selby a knock on close to the line gave the visitors a reprieve. However the home side soon made amends when Number 8 Ian Downsborough was driven over from a 5 metre scrum after 67 minutes. Another excellent touchline conversion by Hinchliffe re-established his team's 10 point advantage and proved to be the last score of the match.

Selby threw everything at the Heath defence in the final 10 minutes, re-cycling the ball efficiently and forcing the hosts to concede a couple of scrums just 5 metres from their line. Unfortunately the visitors were again unable to convert the pressure into points and a knock-on and subsequent penalty gave the home side the breathing space they needed to see the game out and claim a worthy victory.

Selby will be hoping that the Christmas Break serves them favourably by allowing tired and aching bodies to recover full fitness so that they can launch themselves into the second half of the season with renewed vigour and optimism as they try to consolidate and then improve their current mid-table position.