Battling YMCA go close

Jan 8 2008 by David Lockwood, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YMCA had to contend with late withdrawals and an even later arrival, but still led Selby twice before suffering a 20-14 defeat in their first Yorkshire I run-out of 2008.

The late changes forced on them caused a lack of cohesion in defence, and Selby took advantage to score an early unconverted try.

But as YM began to settle, their defence stiffened, and their backs created some inventive play which saw Adam Ryder score one of the best tries of the season, and close to within one of leading tryscorer, the now departed David Rees, who had seven to his name before moving down south.

Gavin Stead converted Ryder’s sixth of the season to put YM briefly ahead.

A strong period of retained possession by Selby and a bustling run from big winger Protheroe – who wouldn’t have looked out of place in most Yorkshire I packs – led to a pushover try from a rolling maul to restore the home lead.

Realising they had the beating of the visitors up front, Selby began to use the rolling maul more often, and it was only due to YM’s Neil Walker working miracles at No8 that scrum half Ben Wolfe and his backs saw any decent possession.

A late tackle by Selby No6 Randell on YM skipper James Bracken led the home man to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin either side of half time which Selby went into 10-7 in front.

The home side played with more aggression after the re-start, but it was YM who scored next when Gareth Greenwood made a fine break and, helped by winger Chris Belton’s interpassing, Greenwood went over the line to put his side ahead again, which Stead extended to 14-10 with a successful conversion.

Again it was short-lived, however, as Protheroe went over in the corner once more to make it a one-point game.

And in the closing stages, it was Protheroe’s break out of defence which set up the final match-winning score for Gandy to set the seal on Selby’s win.