After last week’s encouraging performance, in atrocious conditions at York, Sandhill Lane saw Cleakheaton as the visiting team. With the three teams arriving on two buses, the Clubhouse was already full of 75 guests representing the Muffitts of Selby - a supporters group formed years ago. Very few founding members survive and thanks to Phil and Heidi Redfearn and Doug Skelton for organising the event.

Cleakheaton kicked off in bright sunny conditions and the contest was even until a charge down by Charlie Bramley saw him regather and feed the supporting Adam Infante from the other wing. Cleakheaton killing the ball and the resulting penalty kicked to five yard from the try line. A clean take from Jamie Ibbetson saw the forwards set up and drive before Jamie Dentith peeled off in field and touch down. A missed conversion but Selby had an encouraging start leading five nil after eight minutes.

The contest was evenly matched before Cleck’s centre made a clean break from his own 22 to Selby’s 22 when the forwards took over and number eight, Piper, claimed a try to level the scores.

Stand-off, Breakwell, then put Cleakheaton in front as Alex Webster was penalised for holding on four minutes later. Henry Wright, returning the favour from in front of the posts for a high tackle, committed by the visitors. All level after thirty minutes at eight apiece.

An opportunist break straight through the middle of a ruck on half way by Selby’s Paul Townend was carried on by Archie Bennet but a lack of support saw Cleck turnover the ball and release the pressure with a clearance kick.

With matters even, the visitors then put in a sucker punch scoring twice before half time. The first saw scrum half Egan show a smart side step and then a dummy to cross. Prop forward A Piper scoring a try on the half time whistle. Both conversions missed but a score line Selby 8 Cleakheaton 20.

Joe Scholefield replaced Charlie Bramley to freshen up the back line but the visitors were first to score through Hayward converted by stand-off Breakwell. Tom Scholefield was then yellow carded and Breakwell slotted the resulting penalty.

Selby then scored a try as James Bramley threw a long, accurate pass on half way. Nothing looked on but the dancing feet of Adam Infante saw him evade a couple of tackles before turning on the afterburners on a mazy run to touch down in the corner to lift the home supporters.

R piper scored again on 74 minutes before centre Hainsworth who had an impressive game touched down with the last play of the match. Breakwell converting both for a final score of Selby 13 Cleakheaton 44. A very unfair reflection of the young Swan’s efforts.

Elsewhere, the 2nd XV beat their Cleckheaton counterparts 25-17 and now sit fourth in their merit table. The 3rds doing likewise to win 65-25 also against Cleck, Ian Copperwheat still starting in the front row. They now sit 12th in a 17 team league.

After the game, an excellent collection of Christmas jumpers from the Cleckheaton club players staying long in to the night The Selby teams showing much imagination to put on a Christmas Nativity complete with Kings, Shepherds, Mary, Joseph and even the baby Jesus. Players from both clubs enjoying themselves immensely.

Photo credit: Gerry Christian, Cleckheaton
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