Hullensians RUFC 17 – 6 Selby RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

On a heavy pitch with standing water in places and in front of a partisan home crowd, Selby were unable to produce the performance needed to match the physical Hullensians side who deservedly took the spoils in an uninspiring Yorkshire Division 1 game.

Things looked bright for the visitors as they opened their scoring account in the very first minute through a straightforward penalty kick from Josh Cruise and dominated for most of the opening quarter despite an equalising penalty after 5 minutes for Hullensians' recent French recruit Etienne Faucher. Speedy young winger Sam Harrison looked certain to increase Selby's advantage after 9 minutes, only to be denied a try by a cynical high tackle just a metre from the line by the home flanker Ollie Dynan. Although Dynan was subsequently yellow carded for his offence there was disbelief amongst the Selby supporters when the Worcestershire Exchange referee decided against awarding a penalty try. Despite continuing to pressurise the Hullensians line, Selby were unable to find a way through the home side's resolute defence and so were unable to capitalise on their one man advantage.

Selby prop forward Rob Bourke was the next player to incur the referee's wrath when sin-binned after 28 minutes for foul play. The resulting penalty was successfully converted by Faucher to give his side a slender 6 points to 3 advantage as the half time whistle approached. Two further attempts at goal by the home side in time added on, a drop goal and a further penalty both proved unsuccessful and Selby were able to reach the interval with a realistic chance of overturning the 3 point deficit in the second half.

Selby's hopes were dealt a further and decisive blow just 5 minutes after the resumption when they were again reduced to 14 men as second row forward James Coventry was also shown a yellow card. Once again the home side were able to take advantage of their numerical advantage, scoring the only try of the game after 52 minutes courtesy of a clean catch and drive at a line-out which saw number 8 Jason Conroy credited with the score. Although the conversion by Faucher again missed the target a 2 score advantage always seemed a tough ask for Selby in such unfavourable conditions.

Josh Cruise did his best to drag Selby back into the contest by striking a terrific penalty from almost 50 metres in the 61st minute to reduce the deficit to 5 points, but further moments of indiscipline in the 64th and 71st minutes allowed Faucher to add two further penalties and so give his side a comfortable 11 point cushion. Although Selby threw everything they had at the home side in the final 10 minutes they could not find the key to unlock the Hullensians defence and the hosts were able to keep them at a safe distance and so claim 4 valuable League points.