Selby 3rds 5 vs. Middlesbrough 0

Yes it was that close, this match was exciting edge of the seat stuff made more so by the rash of yellow cards in the second half however it was not one for the rugby purist.
Simon Lee’s first half try was all that separated these equally matched opponents as the final whistle brought raucous delight for the home fans and silent despair for those faced with the long empty handed trek back up the A19
The opening forays were fairly pedestrian as thrust and counter thrust shuffled play between the twenty-two’s, both sides probing for a weakness to exploit.
Boro lost a couple of players to early injuries with a popped shoulder and twisted knee the painful outcomes of fairly innocuous challenges. Boro however came well equipped with strength in depth from the bench and continued to thwart the advancing Swans
Lee’s try was the successful culmination of penetrating runs from Mickey Parsonage and John Taylor backed up with plenty of rumble from the forwards and Andy Bennett’s vision in picking out Lee with room to turn and only the fullback to beat. The conversion drifted past the far stick as the weather made its presence felt lowering heads in the face of a short fierce hailstorm
Selby should have extended their lead before half time but good approach work was undone by a mix of careless hands and astute defence
Boro started the second half the brighter and having used the break to reflect on proceedings elected to keep the ball in the forwards whilst stifling Selby endeavour by cutting off the supply of quick ball to the backs.
The frequent observations of Boro’s scrum half were rewarded with a yellow card within 10 minutes of the restart as the official’s patience ran out. The card, once out, was determined to stay out and its golden glare fell upon the nonplussed Simon Lewis for holding on and Neil Williams for retaliating to a flurry of unobserved punches from the Boro tight-head
Down to thirteen men things looked ominous for the Swans and Boro’s tails were up, lashed on by the whooping from their bench. Those whoops were made to dry in the throat as the Selby men dug deep in defence and as assault after assault broke against them the Selby line held firm.
The official’s whistle closed the contest and brought the customary handshakes as the teams applauded each other from the park. The ceremony was relatively short, the trophy awarded and shutters clicked as loved ones recorded the moment for posterity. The trophy has now been introduced to its new home with plenty of space available for a few more shiny metallic friends that are expected to join it in the comings days.
Team: Pearce, Roberts, Taylor, Parsonage, Goodwin, Barton, Bennett, S. Lee, Venables, Knowles, Williams, Case, Lewis, Blaymire, Spence Subs: Parish, Adamson, Copperwheat, White, A Lee, Crowson, Townend