Yarnbury 22 Selby 23

YARNBURY’S unbeaten Yorkshire League One record at Brownberrie Lane came to an end in a close-fought encounter.

They clawed theselves back from 15-0 down in the opening 15 minutes to go within inches of winning the game.

The home fans felt that Jimmy Cryan had got over the line four minutes into injury-time only for the referee to rule that the ball was grounded just short of the line.

The consolation for Yarnbury came in the form of the two bonus points they collected for scoring four tries and losing by less than seven points, which helped them retain third place.

They know that they will need to tighten up in the three-quarters or get injured players back into the fold to retain their lofty position.

Yarnbury had the versatile Jarrod Huss deputising for the injured Ollie Hardaker at stand-off, while Steve Riley was drafted in to play centre after a long spell with the third team.

With Richard Lister and James Barrett away skiing, Alex Brown and Greg Trencher came into the back row.

There was a gale blowing straight down the pitch and Selby immediately took advantage. A high bomb led to a fourth-minute infringement, which gave full back Josh Cruise a shot at goal that drifted wide on the wind.

Yarnbury took the game deep into the Selby half with some controlled forward play but a dropped pass was hacked upfield for Ian Adamson to score a try by the posts, which Cruise converted.

Worse was to come for the home side. Securing possession from the restart, Selby hoisted a huge bomb which was not dealt with and Peter Turner scampered over wide out. The conversion was missed.

The screw was further tightened when Cruise slotted over a penalty after Yarnbury were adjudged to have not rolled away at the tackle.

Yarnbury had to bounce back and they duly did in fine style. After a line-out was won, the ball was shipped down the back line and Alex Clark scored in the corner.

The first-half scoring was finished by Selby’s Cruise, who knocked over a penalty in the 35th minute.

Yarnbury needed an early score and, four minutes into the second period, Cryan duly obliged after the home pack pushed Selby off their own put-in five metres from the line. Crucially, the conversion was missed.

A yellow card was issued to Selby’s stand-off after he disagreed with the referee’s decision to award the try, but Yarnbury were unable to capitalise on his enforced rest as Selby defended like heroes and a host of chances were spurned.

It wasn’t until the 63rd minute that the score changed when Clark bagged his second try after more good work in the three-quarters, particularly by the elusive James Myerscough. Again, the conversion was missed.

By now, hail was driving down the field to add to the interesting mix of weather the afternoon had provided.

Selby responded with a period of pressure which resulted in a controversial try for full back Cruise. The home support were indignant that the referee did not agree with their view that there had been a knock-on.

Yarnbury were eight points behind with ten minutes to go and they were determined to take the game back to Selby.

Immense pressure on the visitors’ try line saw home number eight Trencher pick up and drive for the line, only to lose the ball in the act of scoring.

Selby were now well and truly defending for their lives as Yarnbury piled forward in waves. A series of rampant attacks finally saw the defence break and captain Ollie Cashman crashed over under the posts and Huss added the extras.

But the visitors sneaked home by a point.