Swans stay second as Josh stars
Form team Selby RUFC maintained their push for promotion to Yorkshire One with a 23-16 victory over top-five rivals West Leeds.
The victory keeps Selby second in the Yorkshire Two table, eight points behind leaders Doncaster Phoenix.
Perhaps crucially, however, the Swans have a game in hand - and the top two sides still have to meet, at Phoenix’s ground later in the season.
Selby must also continue to look behind them, too - they are level on points with third-placed Yarnbury, but remain second courtesy of their superior points difference and greater number of league victories so far this term.
Saturday’s win didn’t all start according to plan, however, when West Leeds took the lead with a Scott Evans penalty with just nine minutes on the clock.
But Dan Porter’s 21st try of the season put them ahead after 17 minutes, and Josh Cruise converted for a 7-3 lead.
West Leeds pulled back to within a point through Evans again - this time a drop goal - and they then edged 13-7 in front, flanker Steve Anderson scoring and Evans adding the conversion.
A Cruise penalty in first-half injury time reduced Selby’s deficit to three points at the break, and then two further kicks on 44 and 51 minutes put Selby in front.
Five minutes later and the score was 23-13, as Alex Webster touched down for a superb try after good link-up play by scrum-half Jack Daniels and Cruise, who duly converted the try.
Evans missed three second-half kicks at goal, but sent over a penalty with eight minutes remaining.
Although missing out on a bonus point, however, the Swans defence held firm and sealed the win.
The club marked the passing of former Selby, Headingley and Yorkshire stalwart Oliver Grieveson with a minute’s silence before the game kicked off.
Both the Selby RUFC and the Yorkshire RFU flags flew at half mast at Sandhill Lane.
“After starting his rugby career at Selby, Oliver went on to play for Headingley and represented Yorkshire on many occasions,” a Selby spokesperson said.
“Many thought he was desperately unlucky never to represent his Country.
“He also held Senior Posts with the RFU and the Yorkshire RFU and has been associated with Selby for many, many years.”
Next week, Selby travel to Northumberland and Durham Division 1 side Blyth, in the second of their Pool fixtures in the Senior Vase.
A win should see them gain home advantage in the quarter final of the competition to be played on March 16.
Selby’s League campaign will continue with a visit to West Park Leeds on March 2.
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Weather for Selby
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
