On a dry but grey day and with a considerable breeze, York set off in search of another win to move a step nearer to promotion, while Selby were committed to fighting to maintain their position in Yorkshire 1. Against that background, this most traditional of local derbies always presented the possibility of an upset and it very nearly did!

With Jon Dawes out injured and skipper Sam Forbes returning via the bench, York presented a rejigged back division as they kicked off into the breeze. Selby collected well and made their intentions clear with a strong drive into York territory only to be thwarted by a forward pass. Almost immediately afterwards York were penalised for not releasing on the ground. This was the first of numerous infringements on the ground, committed by both sides that punctuated the entire game. Yes, it was a greasy surface, but playing at this level, it should eventually register with the players that the referee’s focus was clearly on the breakdown. After 8 minutes, following just one such penalty, Selby found a super touch in the corner and from the ensuing lineout, a fine driving maul saw prop Hardy crash over for a good try converted by No 10 Hunt.(7-0) There followed a period of very scrappy play with numerous infringements and with Selby probably edging the exchanges, as they tried to utilise the breeze. However glimpses of York’s intentions began to appear with good runs by Will Atkin and Lewis Hannibal but always the isolated drives were nullified by infringements. Towards the end of the first half York’s No 8 Shane Goulding began to lead drives forward which, although Selby defended well, eventually led to a penalty and George Davies, against the elements, converted superbly.(7-3) Shortly before the break, York’s Dan Coe, driving forward with characteristic zeal, was penalised for not releasing and the normally dependable Selby No 10, missed what was a relatively straight forward penalty, so half time came with the home side only leading 7-3.

The second half started with a continuation of the same error strewn play and early on Selby’s Scott again missed a penalty for an ‘on the ground’ infringement. This marked the end of Selby’s threat for a 20 minute period during which York began to build up pressure. Good individual driving by Shane Goulding and Luke Stockton saw Selby pinned back. The York pressure continued with Goulding held just short of the line but it was not until skipper Forbes was introduced from the bench that the attack found a way through and put him in,close to the posts. Davies duly converted.(7-10) York should really have pressed on at this point, but in failing to secure the restart and allowing Selby to hack forward, only good covering by Liam Hessay enabled York to touch down in goal and concede a 5 metre scrum. York returned to the attack and although looking more fluid, failed to capitalise on the numerous Selby infringements and when Davies failed to convert one such penalty, Selby roused themselves for a good final 10 minutes. Selby drove well into the York 22 and when York were penalised, Selby, fortunately, went for the corner but failed to secure the lineout ball. Another York infringement and again Selby kicked for the corner and only desperate York defence prevented the rolling maul from breaching York’s try line. A Selby knock on gave York the scrum almost on their own line and a grateful No 9 Toby Atkin found touch with the last kick of the game.

York gained the win points (4) with no bonus, and Selby took 1 point which was probably less than their effort deserved. There are no easy games in Yorkshire 1.