Selby welcomed Regional 1 North East leaders, Scunthorpe, on Saturday for a difficult looking fixture. A first outing of the season for Henry Lovett at prop, Sean Campbell in the second row and Ed Blackwell in the centre in a much changed team due to injuries and unavailability.

Selby started bright, gaining two successive penalties that were kicked in to the visitors 22 where they were repelled easily as Scunthorpe turned the ball over before heading downfield to score after six minutes with a forwards drive. Straight from the restart Scunthorpe scored again as the forwards provided excellent ball and impressive former Leicester Tigers player, Pearce, carved through midfield for another try that was also converted.

Selby then replied with a score on fifteen minutes as the over thrown line out was gratefully collected by Charlie Cicero who drove in the visitors midfield, the ball quick recycling saw Henry Wright make an incisive break before releasing Charlie Bramley out wide. Bramley showing good finishing skills to finish under the posts. Wright converting and Selby back in it . This however was good as it got and the hosts only scored once more late in the second half.

Scunthorpe then scored two tries and after the second try the restart saw Paul Townend yellow carded on thirty seven minutes for a no arms tackle. Scunthorpe scoring another converted try to lead 35-7 at half time.

The Scunthorpe forwards became especially dominant in the second half and number 8 Hyde scored from a pick and go as Selby had to use all their strength just to keep the scrum stable. A move across the backs saw winger Talbot score Scunthorpe’s final try on sixty minutes.

As the light worsened and the large crowd looked forward to the England vs South Africa game, Scunthorpe replacement prop Linklater red carded for a high hit that saw Henry Levett eventually walk from the field after worrying period. Selby then received a couple of penalties the second which saw them take a scrummage to which they applied pressure to the visitors pack resulting in the hard working Jamie Ibbetson going over for a well deserved try.

Thanks to match day sponsors Pearwood Financial Planning up in the Swans Nest.

The 3rds on Pitch 2 beating Leeds Medics & Dentists 29-15 at Sandhill Lane. No news of the scorers but a result that see’s the third team mid table in their merit table.

The 2nds game at Scunthorpe was postponed.

No game for the 1st XV next week but another home fixture on 30 November against Alnwick who are just one place above Selby in what looks like a crucial fixture.