Selby’s Thirds faced a youthful, well-drilled Leos side on Saturday, and while the scoreboard suggests a one-sided affair, the game itself told a much more competitive story. Selby stood firm, played with real heart, and only faded in the final quarter as Leos’ pace and depth began to show.

From the outset, Selby’s forwards fronted up. Big carries from Kieron Sudron, Pete Moffat, skipper Dan Elcock and the ever-lively Sam Betton set a strong platform and eventually earned Selby an attacking lineout just 15 metres out. A solid maul rolled forward, Leos infringed, and a scrum followed. From the base, number eight Sam Betton picked and powered over for Selby’s opening try.

The second half saw Selby back on the attack, with substitute Luke Ford making a real impact through repeated, hard carries. Sustained pressure near the line pulled in defenders, and when the ball was finally moved wide, winger Marcus Hebden finished brilliantly in the corner for Selby’s second.

Despite maintaining pressure at various points, Selby couldn’t break through again, and as fatigue set in, Leos capitalised with a flurry of late tries to stretch the score line beyond what the overall contest reflected.

After the game, Leos awarded their Man of the Match to Selby captain Dan Elcock, a well-deserved nod to a tireless performance from the skipper.

A tough day on paper, but plenty of positives on the pitch for this determined Selby 3rd XV.