OLD BRODLEIANS RUFC 27 v 9 SELBY RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

Injuries and late unavailability’s disrupted Selby's preparation against opponents that have proved to be a thorn in the Selby side for many years. Selby last managing a League victory against their Halifax based opponents in April 2002. This occasion followed a too familiar pattern with the visitors rarely looking like troubling the home defence and struggling to make full use of the difficult Brodleians slope both with and against the elements. The result was a comprehensive victory for the home side which moved them level on points with Selby but left Selby ahead in the table thanks to their superior number of wins and points difference.

Despite playing down the slope in the first half Selby soon found themselves on the back foot and within 5 minutes Brodleians had taken the lead courtesy of a well rehearsed and executed catch and drive which resulted in a try for hooker James Ogden, converted by centre Danny Wood for an early 7 point advantage. As Selby eventually fought their way into the contest, the Brodleians defence came under increasing pressure subsequently conceding 2 penalties in quick succession which allowed stand off Josh Cruise to reduce the deficit to 1 point through two well judged place kicks. Danny Wood made the most of his next opportunity with a successful penalty after 19 minutes as Selby were penalised for not releasing in the tackle and just 3 minutes later the home side stretched their advantage to 9 points when full back Matthew Hoyle benefitted from clean line-out ball and smart handling by his fellow three quarters to cross for a try which Wood was not able to convert. Selby were next to register points when Cruise reduced the gap by 3 with a terrific penalty from almost fifty metres on the 25 minutes mark. That score was to prove the final score of the half and Selby's last of the match as a number of long range penalties by Cruise failed to hit the target.

Playing down the slope themselves for the second forty minutes, the home side showed the visitors how to make best advantage of the conditions, pinning Selby in their own half for large parts of the remainder of the match. Despite a bright start following the resumption Selby had to wait until the last 10 minutes to make any significant encroachment into the Brodleians half and by that time the result was pretty much a foregone conclusion with the home side registering a further brace of tries and so securing a 4 try bonus point. Flanker Brodie Wilson was credited with the third Brodleians try after 54 minutes with Wood adding the extras and the fourth try followed on 63 minutes with winger Alex Brook crossing for a score which Wood was unable to convert but at 27 points to 9 the game was beyond even the best of Selby's efforts. To their credit the Selby side continued to compete, despite the loss of hooker Mark Tanner who was yellow carded with 7 minutes left on the clock, a decision which seemed somewhat harsh given the dangerous tackle on winger Ben Lunt after 77 minutes which resulted in a penalty for the visitors but no further action against the very fortunate Brodleians defender.

With relegation issues already decided and just 2 games of the League season to play, Selby will be keen to show their faithful support just what they are capable of when they entertain the already relegated Pontefract team on April 11th before enjoying their day out at the seaside the following week with a trip to Scarborough. Although there appears little more than pride to play for, Selby should be absolutely determined to improve their current League position of 9th in Yorkshire 1in the final 2 fixtures before starting to plan for the next campaign.