York came in to the game following a convincing win against Heath and a tight loss away at Scarborough. Selby had beaten Scarborough in the rain on opening day before drawing with Hullensians.

York scored the first points of the game after eight minutes. Selby were penalised for an infringement at a ruck in the middle of the field. A kick to touch, a line-out drive, two tight phases then scrum-half, Ben Johnson, pressed over. Conversion missed – 5-0. York then conceded two penalties. Josh Cruise, the Selby full-back, missed a kick at goal for the first one. The second penalty gave Selby good field position. They went forward, the backs carrying the ball with two hands, the forwards clutching it under their arms - all working hard at the break-down. Twenty metres from the York line, the Selby scrum-half, James Fox, found a big gap at the side of a centre-field ruck. He ran through, no defensive hand was laid on him. Selby led 5 – 7.

Selby continued to attack. Josh Cruise gaining them field-advantage with a heavy left boot. They were awarded a penalty five metres from the York try line. Selby chose a scrum but were over-powered and penalised, spurning the opportunity to add points and maintain momentum. After thirty minutes a game pattern emerged, the first of Selby’s five yellow cards. York wing, Will Dunlop, fielded a clearance kick, counter-attacked with a chip, and was then obstructed when chasing the ball. Josh Cruise was sent to the sin bin. Nearing half time, with Selby’s back line depleted, George Davies chipped the ball over the Selby defence and Neil McClure capitalised on the bounce of the ball to score York’s second try, he added the conversion. Half time, York 12 Selby 7.

It was still an even game. Selby’s front row were able to carry the ball forward, but as the second half progressed, York, in particular captain Chris Fox, became more dominant at the line-out. Five minutes in to the second half, York stole a Selby line-out ball, they advanced play to midfield before Selby were penalised for obstruction when countering. Neil McClure was successful with the long penalty kick, 15 – 7.York started to play more in Selby’s half. They stole another line-out and inside-centre Gareth Singleton made fifteen metres running with the ball; Selby conceded two penalties in quick succession and the second one resulted in James Fox receiving a yellow card. Neil McClure was successful with the kick, 18 – 7.Selby’s third yellow card came after sixty minutes. They won their own line-out but went backwards. York attacked from the clearance kick and won a penalty, Selby’s number four being identified by the referee as the transgressor. Handling errors from both sides followed. Gareth Singleton continued to run straight lines in to contact, Chris Fox continued to secure York line-out ball and prop, Daz Rutherford, was able to carry the ball forward. Ten minutes remained. York were now kicking to touch when awarded a penalty, trying to exploit their numerical advantage and their efficient line-out to achieve a four-try bonus point. Gareth Singleton found contact in the Selby midfield and was supported by open-side flanker, Campbell Thomson. There was no line-break but York got another penalty and Selby were given their fourth yellow card.
After eighty minutes the game was petering out. There was time for another York try though. Winger Hugh Nicholson made a clean break from just inside the Selby half, chipped through the last line of Selby’s defence and Ben Johnson collected the ball, running in for his second try of the game. He converted quickly, 25 - 7.Selby got their fifth yellow when flanker John Dawes connected with a hard running Will Dunlop to put more pressure on the Selby try line. A penalty was given, the ball was kicked away by Selby and the card was shown. York were then penalised themselves and the match was over.

York are now fifth in the league table, Selby drop down to eighth.
Photos can be found here. Team stats in the Match centre.
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/yorkrufc/photos/york-v-selby-17th-september-2016-689453.html