Old Rishworthians RUFC 17 – 40 Selby RUFC

Report by Ian Marlow

After the previous week’s poor showing and Selby taking a very young, inexperienced, and decidedly makeshift team to Old Rishworthians, you may understand that Swan spectator hopes were not being particularly talked up on the M62 over to Halifax! Well, what a surprise and treat we got as Selby’s young tyros, abetted by a few wise old heads, put in a superb performance to blow away a pretty decent Rishworthians team, to claim the full bonus point win.

Both teams opened up with entertaining running rugby from the off and Rishworthians came close to an early breakthrough before, after superb side-to-side handling moves from Selby, the gap appeared and fly-half Henry Wright shot through to score, and convert, for 0-7. Selby’s pack was barely recognisable from previous weeks but they were fabulous throughout, scrummage and line out working well, and always going forward with real intent, providing plenty of fast quick ball for Selby’s (also much-changed) backs - and soon after, another sweeping move down the backline released winger Bob Robinson who ran a great line to power though the remaining cover for another converted try and 0-14.

In a testament to both Selby’s coaching team and players, and the hard work put in by all over the Summer, every move the Swans put on appeared to run like clockwork, and Rishworthians simply couldn’t keep time. With Wright in his element directing the backs and second-row Jack Hebden leading the rest of the pack in a storming display, pressure told again as scrum-half Danny Wilkinson benefitted to nip over for another try out wide, well converted by Wright for 0-21. Another try should have followed as, following Wilkinson’s retirement with injury, replacement scrum-half Joe Ramsay shot through a gap, and was in the process of diving over to dot down before an unseen (by the referee) smack in the chops loosened his senses, and the ball, for no gain.

Rishworthians reduced the arrears slightly with a Josh Kelly penalty but then Wright was at it again, making a fabulous blindside break from deep, before releasing debut-making, whippersnapper winger Dan Reid to show his paces to streak in at the corner, again well-converted by Wright, for 3-28 at half time.

Rishworthians regrouped at half-time and the second half was a much closer affair, with the big home forwards keeping the ball and possession for long periods – and from a sustained phase of excellent recycling, they muscled over for Jacob Bower to claim the touchdown shortly into the half for 10-28. Any hope of a home revival was quashed though shortly there-after, as after a superb 20 metre driving maul from a line out, Ramsay peeled off to cross for 10-35. After a yellow to Selby’s Andrew Tunningley for a high tackle, a Rishworthians player then went one better with a straight red, after being identified (correctly) by Mr Referee as the only one not adhering to strict Marquis of Queensbury rules at a bout of general fisticuffs, before the match became a battle of midfield defences instead.

There was time enough though for Selby to ice the cake with a try to impressive flanker Harrison Green, following a super break and then even better pass from the very impressive young prop, Connor Parker, before Rishworthians gained some deserved consolation with an excellent late try to Jack Davis for a final score of 17-40.

Selby now face table-toppers Old Crossleyans at home on Saturday, 3pm, in what will be a tough test – as will be selection this week, with every one of the many ‘replacements’ this week playing so very well!