NORTHERN DIVISION – YORKSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1.

SELBY RUFC 25 – 31 DONCASTER PHOENIX RUFC

REFEREE: MR IAIN HALLAM – EAST YORKSHIRE SOCIETY

After last Saturday’s excellent performance at Duke’s Park, Bridlington, hopes were high that Selby could put a stop to Phoenix’s unbeaten League record. However, after starting well against a well drilled and organised Phoenix side, Selby slid to a 31 points to 25 defeat but did manage to salvage a losing bonus point with the last play of the game.

Selby could have gone in front in the very first minute of the game after Phoenix were penalised for not rolling away but, in the absence of regular kicker Josh Cruise, fly half Cody Whittaker pushed his kick wide. However, only 6 minutes later, Selby did go in front after number 8, Martin Protheroe, gathered from the base of successful 5 metre scrum and crashed over for try – Whittaker converted for an early 7 points to nil lead for the hosts. Selby then conceded possession from the Phoenix kick-off which, a few minutes later, proved to be a costly mistake – they then conceded a penalty which Phoenix, playing to their strength, kicked to the Selby 5 metre line and after winning their line-out drove over the Selby try-line with flanker Ryan Peacey credited with the try – centre Dave Hankinson, who never missed a kick all afternoon, converted to pull Phoenix level at 7 points apiece. Selby re-took the lead after 13 minutes after Phoenix were penalised for holding on with Whittaker slotting the penalty. Phoenix then went back in front after 16 minutes after winning their scrum on the Selby 45 metre line with winger Tom Batty eventually scoring the best try of the match which Hankinson converted for a 14 points to 10 advantage. With Selby flanker James Blaymire yellow carded after 27 minutes, Phoenix took full advantage with their extra man, scoring their 3rd try through flanker Chris Planchant after 30 minutes which Hankinson once again converted putting Phoenix in front by 21 points to 10. With Paddy Rowntree on for Brendan Lanaghan and Blaymire back on after his yellow card, Selby were back up to strength but despite creating considerable pressure just before the break, they were unable to make any breakthrough against a solid Phoenix defence with Phoenix going into the break with a useful 21 points to 10 advantage.

Phoenix dominated the first few minutes of the second half but excellent defending by Selby prevented any further Phoenix score with Selby reducing their arrears with a Whittaker penalty after 49 minutes. With Robert Bourke back on for hooker Mark Tanner and Lanaghan back for James Coventry, Selby had another penalty opportunity after 64 minutes after Phoenix were penalised for going in at the side but Whittaker’s kick was wide. Three minutes later, disaster struck Selby when Phoenix prop forward Tom Bagnall burst through the Selby defence from fully 20 metres and scooted over the try line under the posts – Hankinson converted for a seemingly unassailable lead of 28 points to 13. Stephen Clark replaced Rob Taylor and to their credit, Selby refused to capitulate and reduced their arrears after 75 minutes with Protheroe bursting through the Phoenix defence with Stephen Clark and winger Ben Lunt putting the impressive Rowntree over for a try in the corner – his first try in League rugby – no conversion and with Phoenix full back George Wood yellow carded for an offence leading up to the try, it was Selby who did most of the attacking in the final phase of the game. Selby did, however, concede a penalty after 78 minutes which Hankinson converted for a 31 points to 18 lead for Phoenix. Selby’s efforts paid off deep into added-on-time time with flanker James Blaymire putting the hard working second row forward Brendan Lanaghan over for his first try of the season under the posts and with Whittaker converting, Selby had managed to salvage a losing bonus point in a game which had threatened to bring no reward to the Swans, the final score being 31 points to 25 to the still unbeaten Doncaster Phoenix.