Selby 3rds V Burley 1sts

Selby entered the pool this week as they had no official League match and were paired with a strong and willing Burley 1st team from Yorkshire 4. Selby collected a few extra players through the week and even on the morning of the game were dragging extra bodies in to get a full 15 to take to the field. Captain Rawlins away watching F1 in Abu Dhabi had left various messages for his charges through social media but with Captain Northy and vice captain Tom O'Neill he needn't had worried as the Selby 3rds took to the 'First' team pitch for the first time this season ready to die for them.

In a cagey opening where the tackle was king David Blaymire and Jonny Liddle put in some ferocious hits and with Sam Duffy snaffling the ball at every opportunity it looked like Selby would be in for a fruitful afternoon. Burley boasted a strong and dominant pack and had Selby on the back foot at scrum time on many occasions but in the Line outs it was Selby's day as the accuracy or North's throws outclassed his opposite 2 and it was from such an accurate throw that he found him self at the back of a rolling maul to pounce for the opening score. Sam Toolan new to Rugby himself and with only a hand full of appearances assumed the kicking duties and in horrible conditions slapped one over the posts from the touchline.

Burley began to assert themselves and with Selby spilling the ball on occasions the scrum was a great platform for them to set up wave after wave of attack but the defence held firm and some great last ditch cover tackles from Kev Lamb and the back row it seemed that Burley would struggle to get over. In fact it was a bit of a freak score that got them back into the game as a throw in to 2 speared off the jumpers hand and gleefully into the on rushing hookers hands for him to crash over the line. A little hesitancy in reaction making all the difference. The kick was missed but in the howling wind it was no surprise!

The game continued in the same vain as Selby and Burley both battled the treacherous conditions with Liddle, Blaymire and Duffy all making telling tackles as well as yards with ball in hand. The half closed out with Selby spurning the chance to score out wide as again the ball hit the deck.

The second half began with Burley running the ball at Selby and making huge inroads as missed tackles and poor breakdown play gave away crucial yards. Aidan Pearce finding good range with clearance kicks and Lamb and Robinson spoiling the Burley ethos to offload quickly whenever possible. Burley eventually did find a gap as an offload into the giant props hands saw him crash through and dot down next to the posts with the conversion being slotted over.

Captain North had to leave the field a short time after as a collapsed scrum led to him gaining some sort of injury and with that the introduction of uncontested scrums. This had a huge impact on the game as all of a sudden Selby had good clean and quick ball which they had been starved of all game. Pearce choosing some good options and making some yards himself and number 8 David Blaymire picking and going to create space in midfield. However it was Burley who got the crucial 3rd score as Tom O'Neill now captaining the side missed a crucial tackle as he covered in defence and the winger ghosted in wide out.

Selby's response was that of a wounded animal and they threw everything at Burley to try and get back within a score of them and final a pass stuck in the hands of Goodwin who stepped left then right to get over the whitewash in the last few minutes and although the kick was missed Selby could sense an opportunity. Burley however had other ideas and used the wind to clear their lines and with lungs spent and legs tired Selby 3rds finally ran out of steam.

David Blaymire was awarded man of the match for a superb all round display. Selby left the pitch with heads held high as they had ran a 1st team very close but the elusive victory still remains out of reach!