After completing the double last week against east coast rivals Scarborough, York secured the bragging rights against their closest opposition Selby, this afternoon. Unfancied by many of the league commentators, York revelled in the role of underdog as their backs scored twice, whilst Selby failed to cross the whitewash.

On a bright but cold afternoon, York kicked off and looked to keep Selby pinned deep in their own half. Selby went though some neat phases but York pressure forced a kick straight into touch. The York game plan was evidently to keep the ball and the play in the Selby half. For the first 20 minutes this was well executed by York with Josh Britland kicking neatly from hand. A number of penalties given in York’s favour also allowed the play to remain in Selby’s half. The first two attempts for points arose from these penalties and George Davies was unlucky with one kick just dipping under the cross bar and the second bouncing off the post.

Neither team looked to have the upper hand and throughout the first half traded possession without really threatening the try line. The York scrum was one area where they did have the advantage and were able to rely on the set piece for secure ball. With the game on a knife-edge and with local rivalries evident, it was always going to be a robust encounter. The first evidence of this spirited competition came as a penalty for a high tackle by Chris Fox was reversed as the Selby player’s over-enthusiasm carried on beyond the whistle. York’s mental control was evident and would serve them well.

The first score of the match came on 34 minutes as a strong run down the midfield by the ever-reliable veteran Billy Cakaunitabua resulted in Selby being penalised for not rolling away. Davies made it third time lucky putting York 3 – 0 up. Shortly after the score, York were reduced to 14 men as Marcus Britland was shown a yellow card, seemingly for unsporting conduct. Selby were unable to capitalise on the resulting penalty as their kicker missed what was a relatively easy shot. As the first half came to a close Davis had a fourth shot at goal, this time even further out but was unable to convert. The half closed with York three points to the better.

As the whistle brought the first half to a close, it also saw the worsening of the weather as a mixture of rain, sleet and snow made conditions that little bit worse. Although York had the only points on the board, it was by no means their game. Either team could have taken the spoils; the commitment and physicality from both sides being even.

The opening exchanges of the second half carried on in the same vein as the first with both teams attacking through the phases without significantly braking the gain line. Emotions boiled over again as a second scuffle broke out on the York 10 metre line. With no real catalyst for the handbags and no real villain, the referee restarted the game with a scrum. York started to use their advantage in the scrum well and allowed the reinstated Britland to break from 8 on their own ball as well as stealing some of Selby’s ball. As Dan Coe was replaced by Curtis Fletcher, the scrum continued to perform well and another win against the head resulted in a penalty. The resulting York line-out highlighted the area where Selby did have an advantage, stealing York’s ball and snuffing out any advantage.

As the game loosened up a York attack down the left hand side of the pitch saw them threaten the try line for the first time. At the first asking York failed to convert a three on two advantage but after recycling the ball efficiently, Eddie Bradshaw was rewarded for his consistent work as he crossed for the try out wide. Although the conversion was missed, York now had a two score advantage.

From the kick off and resulting phases, York’s defence was penalised for being too eager and Selby converted the kick to give them their first points on the board (Selby 3 – York 8). The game was becoming ever tighter as both teams fought to gain control. On 67 minutes, York were penalised for taking out a player in the air and as Selby moved down field, they were penalised again for being offside in defence. Selby took the opportunity to narrow the gap and kicked the penalty to make it 6 – 8.

As the game started to draw to its conclusion, Selby put more and more pressure on the York defence as they spent more time in the York 22. Whilst they were effective in moving the ball from side to side, they lacked the penetration to break through the York defence. It was clearly not going to be Selby’s day as their golden opportunity of a four on one 15 meters out from the York line was butchered, with the Selby player taking the ball into contact rather than passing to anyone of his three team mates. York managed to turn the ball over at the breakdown and secure the exit from their own 22. As Selby players and supporters reflected on what could have been, York broke neatly into midfield and although Selby briefly reclaimed possession, a loose ball bounced in York’s favour. Sam Arkle hacked the ball through and rolled back the years to collect the bouncing ball and cross for a try under the posts. Davies added the extras and York moved out to 6 – 15. With only a minute left on the clock, York maintained their concentration and managed to go through the simple phases to force a knock on and savour the final whistle.

Whilst not a vintage game of running rugby, York showed real character and concentration today. They deserved the win and played the conditions and the whistle effectively. A real team performance with all 18 players putting in a solid shift. It is difficult to single out any individual but the trio of Fox, Bates and Meredith should be applauded for their efforts. With no game next weekend, York can go into the short break with the confidence that they are more than capable of closing out and winning these close games. This is even more pleasing given the losses to Pontefract and Middlesbrough which were frustratingly close.