York’s visitors were local neighbours Selby who were promoted last season and finding the league difficult, having only won 1 game and conceding an average of nearly 40 points each game. York after 4 wins on the trot and on the back of last week’s very impressive away win against the league leaders Scunthorpe were looking to extend the run. Overshadowing the game was storm Darragh and the wind and the rain which was promised certainly arrived which meant that handling was difficult, the pitch was muddy and cut up as the game progressed and the line outs were a lottery. It was certainly not a day for running rugby! Despite the weather both sides were well supported.

A part of York’s game which has been a constant all season has been the strength and solidity of the scrum and after only 3 minutes it was clear that it would continue when Selby were penalised at the first scrum of the game. York took play to the visitor’s 22, earned another penalty and after a catch and drive from a line out Joe Simpson touched down in the corner. The conversion was missed. The score 5-0 after 8 minutes.
Selby continued to concede penalties at the scrum which allowed York to dominate possession and territory and after 20 minutes captain Archie Fothergill broke from the half way line and as he approached the last Selby defender slipped the ball to scrum half Toby Atkin who was on his shoulder and he scored next to the posts. Harry Shackleton had no difficulty with the conversion to take the score to 12-0.

From the kick off York again took play to Selby who infringed and enabled the home side to keep up the pressure. After several phases by the forwards the pressure finally told and Luke Stockton crashed over near to the posts. Harry Shackleton again slotted over the conversion to take the score to 19-0 after 28 minutes. Despite constant pressure York were unable to add to the score before half time due to dogged Selby defence and losing the ball in contact. The home supporters were hopeful of further tries in the second half.

Unfortunately, the wind and rain worsened and made handling very difficult. All but the most resolute in the crowd moved to the stand in an attempt to keep dry. York were now playing with the wind allowing Harry Shackleton to kick for position. As a result they spent the first 30 minutes in Selby’s half and most of it in their 22. Difficulties in moving the ball wide, resolute defending, handling errors and a failure to convert chances resulted in no change to the score until prop Lewi Jackson took the ball on the visitor’s 22 and after a crowd pleasing bullocking run touched down near to the posts for his fifth try of the season. Again, Harry Shackleton put over the conversion with ease to stretch the lead to 26-0. York now had a bonus point from scoring 4 tries.

The visitors had spent the majority of the game defending, and the hope of the home supporters was that they would tire and enable their team to add further points to reflect their superiority. But Selby rallied and took play to York and spent time in their 22 but strong defence and the solid scrum meant that they could not get over the try line. The remainder of the game was spent in the middle of the pitch with neither side able to make any headway and the final whistle was a relief to those on the touch line. The players of both sides are to be congratulated for their determination to play rugby in very difficult conditions. Neither side was able to play with width and the wingers on both sides saw very little of the ball. The referee Mr Higgins did his best to keep the game flowing, but it was not a day for expansive rugby

York remain second in the league. Next week’s game is at home against Blaydon. In the away fixture earlier in the season York had a narrow victory. Hopefully the weather will have improved!