3rd XV
Matches
Sat 07 Jan 2017  ·  Central & North League
Selby RUFC
3rd XV
Tries: J Bell, R Johnson (2), j abrams, A PearceConversions: A Ross
27
18
Ossett 2
Tries: (3)Penalties:
Selby RUFC 3's 28 - 17 Ossett RUFC 2's

Selby RUFC 3's 28 - 17 Ossett RUFC 2's

LEIGH ADAMSON9 Jan 2017 - 11:05
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3rds Grind out tough win

In a game that was always going to be a war of attrition, Selby finally gained the upper hand on their evenly matched opposition from Ossett. The official talked to both sides prior to kick off about the new law surrounding high tackles it was assumed that some sort of sense would be applied when taking to the field with 2 sides in a merit fixture at a social level of rugby. This wasn't the case and the 4 Yellows all dished out to the Ossett players (some very harshly) proved the case in Point.

Selby started brightly and attacked from the kick off only to be turned at the vital point by a vigorous Ossett pack who had come to disrupt the Selby bandwagon. In fact it was Ossett who had the first chance to get on the score sheet when a series of infringements by the Selby players led to a shot at goal under the sticks. The kick was missed somehow but from the resulting 22 the Selby players were pinged again, creeping up in the back line which happened too frequently. The kick was good and Selby found themselves in a dogfight.

The match followed a pattern of good play from both sides but lacked the killer instinct and as such the score stayed the same with Selby overplaying at times as they tried to find the fluency that had seen them win the previous 2 games comfortably. Ossett seemed buoyed by their own recent form and with the physical pack and some mountains in the centre of the park you could see why they had started to turn a corner themselves. A moment of Kevin Lamb inspiration was the key to Selby's first score as he broke free of the stern Ossett defence and threw a huge pass out wide for Jamie Bell to crash over the line...which line is still up for debate but the ref awarded the try and Selby finally had a foot hold. The conversion was missed but the Selby tails were up and they had a good amount of pressure on the Ossett line but they held firm. A first Yellow card was handed out for a high tackle and the game became scrappy with uncontested scrums due to the Yellow, so the half time whistle was met with some glee at the chance to take on some fluid.

The second half played out very similar to the first with plenty of Selby pressure and when the Ossett pack was restored to its full compliment Selby took advantage of their superiority and consistently drove the Ossett pack backwards. Number 8 Ryan Johnson spilled a glorious chance to score knocking on over the line but he soon made amends after a second yellow was issued for a high tackle when the Selby player drove low and hard at the line (simply baffled at this point) Selby chose to scrum and this time Johnson made no mistake crashing over the line for the score. Conversion missed.

Ossett scored a try of their own as young talent Ollie Turvey making his senior rugby debut had a moment to forget. Diving on the ball covering a long kick it bounced up off the young lads legs and set the Ossett players free for a kick and chase which they dotted down. Selby responded superbly with a couple of quick fire tries of their own as first James Abrams and then Aidan Pearce put Selby in full control. substitutions were made and the game seemed in the bag but some unsavoury play and another 2 Yellows for Ossett players (high tackles) seemed to galvanise them as they dug deep and scored a couple of tries themselves. From kick off and some good work from the Selby players a scuffle broke out and a punch was thrown right in front of the referee who had no option to give a straight red to the Ossett player. Selby nudged the ball into touch just a meter short of the line and from the resulting line out Ryan Johnson burrowed over for a 5th score that killed the game.

All in all a pleasing day at the office with a bonus point win but the Ossett lads will feel somewhat aggrieved they didn't come away with something in what was an evenly fought contest spoilt by a new law that needs some common sense applying to it.

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Jan 2017

Kickoff

14:15

Location

Competition

Central & North League

League position

5
Selby 3
6
Ossett 2
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

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