Percy Park made the long journey down from the North East, seeking revenge for their last minute defeat in the Papa Johns trophy last season. The dry and sunny weather making excellent conditions for a large crowd at Sandhill Lane.

Park drew first blood as a penalty in their own 22 was kicked into the Selby’s half where another penalty and line out take, saw the ball spread across the backs and full-back Carey score a converted try.

Selby then had three penalties in the visitors half kicking for territory each time only to be repelled by the visitors solid defence. The Swans having most possession and a promising move, saw Jamie Dentith drive towards the posts with the forwards in support, only for play to be stopped for a serious looking injury to Percy Park’s second row forward, 15 yards away from the action. After a lengthy stoppage play resumed with the player recovered as Liam Hogan offered to buy him a pie after the game.

Park then cleared their line taking play into the home 22 where a high tackle in from off the posts saw Spowart send the ball between the sticks as Park led 10-0 after twenty five minutes.

Both sides regrouped and as half time approached Selby were dealt a blow as winger Stock scored a converted try in the far right corner again converted. Despite a large amount of injury time the score remained 17-0 at halftime.

Henry Wright started the second half at stand-off with Poskitt moving to full back and Charlie Bramley to the wing. After just four minutes Selby were awarded a penalty as the Percy Park front row stood up as Selby gained advantage at the scrum. A clean line out take then saw Max Wotton make a charge to the line before Ben Poskitt scored a try in the corner, which Wright duly converted from the touch line and Selby were back in the game.

Straight away however a penalty was given away and Spowart converted from distance. A key moment on 48 minutes saw Percy Park’s impressive second row Reekie take the ball in the line out before scoring near the posts after the backs had spread the ball left then back centre field. His smile also as big as his massive frame.

Selby then took a major setback as captain Alex Webster was yellow carded for a tackle offence on 56 minutes and the visitors scored two converted tries to make the score 41- 7 with fifteen minutes to go.

Selby continued to strive for some momentum and the numbers were levelled up as Webster’s opponent Reece deliberately knocked on and was also yellow carded. The penalty kicked to touch and by regaining possession at the line out, the space on the far side of the field was spotted by Wright who put in a long kick that Charlie Bramley did well to gather, before stretching over in the right hand corner, Wright converting.

Park then went down to thirteen as a player questioned the referee’s decision and Webster returned as Selby eyed up a bonus point. From open play in front of the stand, a long basketball pass from Ryan Lamb saw Adam Infante receive the ball and go on one of his trademark runs to the line and touch down with five minutes to play.

The bonus point for four tries was there for the taking as once they had turned the ball over the young Swans were determined to keep hold of it and get a reward of kind. A penalty to touch and then another with advantage played saw the hard working Paul Townend score on the final whistle, Wright adding another conversion.

A final score of 28-41 probably a fair reflection but fitness and endeavour in the last fifteen minutes getting something. A week off for the firsts next week to nurture some injuries before travelling to Sandal on the 9th November to play another club who Selby haven’t played for a number of years.