Acklam Hustlers 15 vs. Selby 3rds 20

The weather was bitterly cold with the fingers of an icy wind stealing away any hope of keeping warm however the action on the pitch blew a warm glow over the cockles of the visiting spectator.

Acklam hit the ground running hard and were 5 points up straight from the kick-off and a difficult afternoon looked to be in the offing. Acklam had the luxury of a large pool of players. First and second team players augmented the usual Hustlers and the step up in class was clearly displayed.

Step up Selby did as, shaking off their initial stupor, they fought back up the pitch and carved out an opportunity which Danny England duly delivered. The swirling arctic wind quickly dispelling any ideas of adding the extras

Acklam made full use of their rugged forwards whose slick handling and hard running hammered the Swans back. Acklam’s momentum took them over for a second unconverted try but Selby bounced straight back with a fine run and try from Jason Goodwin after John Taylor made a telling initial break.

Into the second half and Selby almost stole the lead as Goodwin again broke through but was denied at the line. Selby kept knocking and it was the excellent David Blaymire whose quick reactions helped him to find the narrowest of gaps to cross Acklam’s line, England this time making no mistake with the conversion

Scott Adamson and Mickey Parsonage kept trying to unlock Acklam’s defence but it was the home side who grabbed the last try, the wind again spoiling the conversion attempt leaving Selby a narrow two points in front. Acklam then conceded a late penalty which Leigh Adamson stroked over to complete the scoring.

Resolute defending in the face of hard running from Acklam and the ability to capitalise on what few opportunities they had is what has put Selby’s name into the hat for the next round.