With the playing surface looking glorious, York played host to local rivals Selby on Saturday 4th October. Both teams came into the game having had a positive start to the season but with room for improvement.

Selby started the game at a brisk pace and applied early pressure, building good phases of play. The touch line was the saviour for York as a positive attack was ultimately forced out of play 5 meters short of the try line. From the ensuing line-out, more brisk back play by Selby spread the ball wide and the first score of the game saved only by an excellent covering tack by Billy. Five minutes later another try saving tackle by the York veteran winger was needed to thwart Selby from converting their positive attacking play.

As the game settled down, York began to get their hands on the ball more and got a foot hold in the game. Some excellent defensive work by York led a series of penalties which ultimately gave way to the first score, Dawes hitting the target with his first attempt on 11 minutes (York 3 – Selby 0).

As the first half developed, York managed to build some better phases of play. Some good drives up midfield with impressive recycling gave them much better field position. The first divisive attack by York was spearheaded by some excellent handling and footwork by Eddie Bradshaw, Billy and Dave Bates. As more forwards became involved, supporting the 4th and 5th phases, the handling unfortunately was not at the level required and a knock on resulted in a scrum to Selby.

The York scrum came under increased pressure and the early season promise that the York pack showed is starting to look miss-placed. A scrum in the York half resulted in a penalty to Selby, which was converted to level the scores to York 3 – Selby 3.

Selby, buoyed by their first points on the board launched an attack from their own half. Winger Guest cut an excellent line through midfield and progressed to within 10m of the York line. Some neat recycling and three additional phases, allowed Selby to spread the ball wide. A neat show and go by the hooker, Hardy released the supporting player to score the first try. The conversion added, the score now York 3 – Selby 10. A second penalty to Selby shortly after, allowed Selby to extend their lead to 3 – 13.

Although the score line suggested Selby were the dominating side, the flow of the game was relatively evenly matched. As the first half drew to a close a York scrum in the Selby half was the launch pad for a strong York attack. Although the scrum was going backwards, Roberts carried positively from the base of the scrum and the supporting forwards recycled the ball efficiently. Dave Bates collected the ball on the 22 and beat a number of defenders to drive towards the line and score York’s opening try. Converted by Dawes, the score closed to York 10 – Selby 13

The final plays of the first half showed York developing their attacking play and had it not been for a wayward final pass, another try would have been in the offing. The attacking pressure did lead to a York penalty which was pushed just wide of the posts.

York started the second half with the same attacking flair as they finished the first half. Selby cleared their lines from a scrum deep in their own 22. The ball was collected by York and Billy ran the ball back deep into the Selby half, showing that his skill in attack was equal to the defensive skills he showed in the first half. Held up close to the line, the ball was recycled well and Jon Dawes crossed to score York’s second try. Converting his own try, the score moved on to York 17 – Selby 13.

Selby responded strongly and launched a number of attacks deep in the York 22. The whole York team stepped up and delivered an impressive defensive effort, more than matching Selby’s attacking efforts. The pressure from York eventually drawing another penalty (hit by Dawes) York 20 – Selby 13.

Both sides continued to play positive rugby and pushed for the divisive score. Selby managed to close the score as Roberts was penalised for holding on to the ball after making another strong run from the base of the scrum (York 20 – Selby 16).

York kept the pressure on Selby, looking to close the game out and record a fourth win of the season. Good game management by the York side resulted in a number of penalties. The first attempt was missed by Dawes but a following effort was converted to move the score on to York 23 – Selby 16.

Both sides can be congratulated in playing a positive well fought game but York managed to edge the game and showed strong defensive and a cutting edge in attack. York RUFC had a dominant day overall with all four teams beating their Selby opposition.