Selby RUFc u15 -V- Scarborough RUFC u15

It was a sunny but chill day at Sandhill Lane on Sunday 19th February when the Scarborough coach pulled into the club car park. It was our first time hosting this club and our first time playing them.

1st Half
The game kicked off at 11.30am and battle commenced. For the first few minutes, the game ebbed and flowed between the sides, with quality tackling coming from both teams. Scarborough eventually seized possession and sent a clearing kick trying to find territory in Selby's 22. Instead of the much-needed ground they were seeking they found the nimble hands and fast feet of Will C who has shown numerous times this season his lightning-fast sprinting down the wing. Today was no different and he scored twice in the first half, sadly we were unlucky to convert the kicks. The teams certainly looked evenly matched and an exciting game developed. One chink in the Scarborough team seemed to be around the tackle/ruck with the ref giving multiple warnings about the tackling player not rolling/moving away. Eventually, to reinforce his repeated warnings the referee issued a yellow card to a Scarborough player and away he went for 5 mins. This seemed to galvanise Scarborough who despite being a player down went on to score twice and was successful in converting the kicks. The score at half-time was 14 – 10 to Scarborough.

2nd Half
Scarborough buoyed by the quickly scored tries in the latter part of the first half looked up and ready to take control in the 2nd half. Battle for possession and territory commenced again. A powerful rolling maul took Scarborough over the line and scored quickly in the first half, but they were not successful in the conversion. Scarborough scoring this 3rd try seemed to get the dander up in some of the Selby squad who then went on a mission to show Scarborough exactly what the team is capable of. Connor D demonstrated this beautifully with his one-man charges through the middle of the Scarborough squad – players, big lads, being brushed aside in his search of the try line, which he found on multiple occasions. Scarborough though was not out of it and struck back in return with another try which they converted. However, the last 15 minutes of the game definitely belonged to Selby with a flurry of tries. The squad scored 6 tries and converted 2. Final whistle and the score was 44 – 26 to SELBY!!

Again we were very fortunate to have a very full subs bench – with 26 lads in total all getting game time. We had 2 debutants Owen S and Kenneth O making a welcome first-time appearance in a competitive game. Tries were scored by Connor D, Will C, Harry K & Ben S. Man of the match was awarded to Connor D for his outstanding performance in the game. Special mentions also went to Will C for lightning pace on the wing, Luke F for committed tackling, Ben S for some great runs and defence with a try-saving tackle, and Joe B at scrum half – delivering fast-paced ball which was lapped up by the back line. These lads had a great game but it was a whole squad performance and the team certainly raised themselves in the skills they demonstrated on Sunday which resulted in a well-deserved win.