Selby 2s Back to Winning Ways

After the ups and downs of the last couple of weeks. Selby 2nds were back to winning ways at Sandhill Lane.

The weather was perfect (except the winds) for rugby, the pitch was looking good after all the rain over the last month or so, writes Paul Gabel.

Having had a couple of weeks away on holiday. It was a pleasure to see further progress on the pitch from the ever changing team. Looking back at the selection over the this season, Selby 2nds have never started with the same 15 players, indeed had the same squad of 20 in a fixture.

Thanks should also go to the 70 or so supporters that came down to watch with a vital 1st team game being played away at Glossop. Further thanks should go to our referee for the day, a gent that was being assessed and, in my opinion should have passed with flying colours as he kept the game safe and was in control throughout.

The game kicked off and Doncaster played with ball in hand with strong running, good linking and a fast pace. Several phases of play and keeping the ball would normally produce point but the composure of this Selby side held, every player knew where to be and trusted in their teammates to support and do their job also.

Doncaster played free flowing rugby and the big forwards made the hard yards but with little to tell between the two sides, as the Selby forwards also returned the yards when they had ball in hand. Something that has evolved in this Selby side this season is the ability to play the right game at the right time and the mix of forwards and backs playing together under the control of the scrum half and No10 partnership.

It was backwards and forwards for the first 15 minutes but then great support play by all allowed L Taylor to go over to break the deadlock in play. This was shortly followed 5 minutes later by another well worked try by all and resulting in the young J Scholefield crossing over twice in just a few minutes making the scores 15-0 after 25 minutes.

Anyone would think that the flood gates would open but one thing I have neglected to say at this point is that Doncaster had most of the possession with approximately 60-70% of the ball up to this point. Doncaster were never going to let the game run away, their players were to experienced and determined to uphold the badge on their shirt.

Indeed, they battled and play some good rugby, it was a team effort from them and this payed off in the last 10 minutes of the 1st half in 2 tries and more importantly a conversion, which might make the difference at the end of the game. 15-12 at the break but Selby looked the more comfortable despite both sides playing g with several player changes. Selby seemed to adapt better on the pitch.

The second half brought more good rugby. The spectators were cheering for the home side and appreciated the rugby on show. Selby RUFC have worked hard on and off the pitch to promote one club and a one squad attitude regardless of team and now it seems to be part of the player DNA with training numbers good and the atmosphere is charged with positivity throughout.

Forwards were committed in attack and defence with the backs probing the gaps with strong running and good support. It was a game that could still go either way with Doncaster having the majority of the possession for the first 20 minutes but not able to make the yards needed to cross the line. Selby played with composure and nothing between the two sides but Selby took their chances well.

The deadlock broke around the 60 minute mark when, after several phases of play, N Athraby Selby were in control from the moment on and sure enough J Scholefield crossed for his 3rd try of the day, which was converted by E Blackwell, 10 minutes later.

As the game drew to a close, you could sense that Doncaster would never give up and good field kicking allowed a 77th minute consolation try to finish the scores at 27-17. A great game to watch and win for Selby 2nds to take them one position closer to the top of their league in jumping Doncaster to secure 4th with the chance of coming 2nd at the end of the season.