Selby 3rds v WP Leeds 3's

In a very good game of Rugby, Selby 3rds ran their counterparts from West Park very close but in the end the quality of players and the introduction of some 'spritely' subs saw Selby loose out yet again!

Take nothing away from the West Park lads....they ground Selby down and they defended sternly when called upon and they fully deserved to walk off winners. However, it was the downbeat faces of the Selby players that stood out as a narrow loss that should have been a win sunk in!

Selby started the day in typical disorganised fashion as Sid had to drive to South Milford to collect a sleepy George Booth. Both made it back for kick off and Selby found themselves bolstered by the equally sleepy Marcus Loveday who missed his ride to Ripon with the 2nd team.

5 minutes in and Tom O'Neill showed a clean pair of heels to his opposite winger and touched down for the opening score, Adam Ross failing to convert. Selby had the upper hand but silly mistakes cost them on many an occasion. West Park had a huge pack and dominated in the scrums for the first 20 minutes and it was only the bravery and skill of Andrew Wass playing only his 3 game of the season that dug Selby out of losing the ball numerous times. Park seemed organised but scrappy as they slung the ball left and right mixing forwards and backs but Loveday and Booth covered with Aidan Pearce and Ben Rawson twice stopping breakaways with the latters tap tackle on the marauding prop a somewhat shock to the portly chap who thought he had a clean run to the line!

Eventually a series of turnovers led to Park getting back into the game as they played it wide and the winger touched down in the corner. Park finished the half on top as they took advantage of a quick tape and the young stand off darted under the posts like lightening. The conversion was good and the half time whistle blew!

Changes were made for Selby who introduced an improving Bruce Potter and Lee Emmerson came on to add experience to the forwards. Selby again started brightly with Wass having a great game in both attack and defence and showing a little of what the 3rds have lacked this season. Tom Green also having a good game was sticking his body on the line and the backs seemed to have the edge over their counterparts.

The game changed on one moment as Park stole the ball in the midfield and went through a few phases before going over the line. The Park player was held up and the referee seemed to have called "held up" only for the supporting player to pick up the ball and dot it down for the score........confused? Selby stood still for a moment and the ref awarded the try..........bizarre! Selby took this on the chin and although frustrated went back at Park again and again, Adam Ross nearly getting over the line followed by Paul north being held up short. Selby looked back their best for short bursts and after some great work from the forwards a ball spread wide through simple hands left Bruce Potter with a simple run in at the corner again Adam Ross missing the difficult kick. Selby had precious little time to win it but they gave their all and came up agonisingly short. The ref blew his whistle and the heads and hearts sank as a winnable game ebbed away..........

Andrew Wass gaining a deserved man of the match for his consistent work rate and the fact he lasted a full 80!

Gutted but still hopeful was the feeling in the changing room.