Swans plumb depth to keep in the swim
RUGBY: Selby 3rd team (red/yellow /green) against Knottingley. (BUY THIS PHOTO L7105TS) Picture: Tony Saxton
Selby 2nd XV............................... 31
West Leeds.................................. 12
Selby RUFC showed why they are envied by most other Yorkshire clubs for their depth and strength when their second string pulled off a convincing win over their mid-table rivals, writes Paul Gabel.
But they followed it up by losing 10-35 at West Park Leeds where thermal underwear was called for and Veebha (Selby’s physio) was the unsung hero as he dealt with a spate of injuries.
At Sandhill Lane the previous week, the Swans were missing a couple of influential men, but they were able to draw on their 160-strong pool of players helping each week to fulfil their demanding fixtures covering five senior teams.
They quickly dominated in the set-piece, backed up by precision throwing in the lineout, as they gave a first team performance for most of the game.
With Austerfield and Pocklington running the bench, Selby kept the whole game flowing with fresh legs at the right moments and there were tries from Tanner, Firth, Bourke (2) and captain Lamb.
On their wintry excursion to North Leeds, however, Selby seemed unable to do anything right until Bourke inspired a first try of the season for Ed Clark duly converted by Torn, with Bourke adding a penalty to leave the Swans trailing 10-15 at half-time.
But a string of injuries subsequently stopped the flow for both sides with the hosts then taking advantage of Selby being reduced to 14 men.
Meanwhile the 3rd XV bandwagon thundered into Northallerton intent on an easy hit-and-run raid on the Central/North District League Division 2 bottom team.
But the hosts took full advantage of their powerful pack and sloping pitch and held a four-point lead into the dying minutes. Selby finally edged it, however, as their superior fitness prevailed with Paul Ray crossing for his second and Leigh Adamson adding the extras followed by a second on the final whistle from John Taylor.
Tom Rich and Bruce Potter also crossed the whitewash, with Marcus Loveday helping to open the account as he turned defence into attack with a fine tackle. The Swans played some delightful rugby when given the chance to run the ball, and the match was never as bad as the official’s frequent pipings indicated.
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Weather for Selby
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
