After what felt like an age, the day of the Yorkshire Cup Plate Final had arrived. Two fiercely competitive teams going head to head in what promised to be a tremendous battle. Having not faced Hull Ionians yet this season, it was very much a case of facing the unknown.

Arriving early and allowing the boys time to settle their nerves, crucial in such an important game, a good warm up followed, and before we knew it, it was time to line up in the tunnel and enter the field.

As expected, Hull Ionians started strongly, using their huge pack to power their way up the pitch. With a fantastic display of passing skills they quickly went into a two try lead (10-0).

Showing the same grit and passion that had taken us through to the final, the Selby boys rallied and started to play their own game, slowly turning the pressure back onto Hull Ionians.

In a game which ebbed and flowed, the Selby boys stopped wave after wave of a Hull attack. With Will H spotting their fullback out of position, a beautiful chip and chase allowed Will to score a great try just before the half time whistle.
(10-5) Game on!

With the game being played with such speed and ferocity, half-time was definitely needed and a chance to catch their breath.

In what can only be described as a coach killer, Hull Ionians chased their kick off, scooping up a loose ball and quickly scoring after the break. (15-5)

With Hull Ionians once again playing to their strengths, battering their way up the pitch, followed by quick passes to the wing, was this going to be their day?! Not a chance…as once again the Selby boys rallied, and with one of the greatest displays of toughness and togetherness Ethan W, Reuben E, Guy G, Thomas T and Kale C continued to grind their way towards their try line.

With Ionians under pressure and the Selby defence bearing down on them, they managed to force a knock-on. Oscar O scooped up the loose ball and cut through the Ionians defence scoring a great try. (15-10)

Game on once again!

With Selby now on the front foot, and our forwards and backs working together as one great green machine, scrum half Toby J took his opportunity, picking up the ball from a ruck and sprinting away for a brilliant solo try. (15-15)

For the many spectators watching today they were being treated to a game of the highest quality, and it was far from over. Issac W, Lewis H, Henry M, Zac A and Callen P all working hard to get Selby moving forward. With Charlie M and Tyler L linking together a beautiful passage of play, it saw the ball shifting from Rhys K down the line to Lewis H.S, who managed to step one player and use his power to score a great try in the corner. (15-20)

With the clock slowly ticking down, Ionians once again came back into the game and it was Selby having to defend with everything they had. With the pressure mounting Ionians scored a well worked forward try (20-20)

With Ionians gaining a penalty on the halfway line and the referee calling one final play, it was going down to the wire. With a beautiful ball steal from Fynn Julian, the ball came to Tyler Lawrence who kicked the ball into touch, bringing to an end a truly impressive Yorkshire Cup, Plate Final.

To come back from behind and grind out the win was absolutely brilliant, everyone who played today played their part in the victory and the coaches, parents and wider Selby RUFC Club are incredibly proud. Well done.