As usual the well-drained pitch was in great condition and despite some wind and a hint of rain all was set for a good open game. The Brods seemed to have an eye on next season with a team sheet of up and coming youngsters, most of whom had made their first team debuts earlier in the season – but missing were talisman, Rob Jennings, and dependable senior players, Imiolek and Stapley, though the starting fifteen were supported by a strong and experienced bench.

Selby kicked off towards the railway end and stand-off Kelly relieved pressure by returning to the Selby half. For the first 10 minutes it was all Selby possession, but they were unable to make inroads into a tenacious Brods defence. After a couple of dropped balls and scrums Brods managed a kick into Selby territory and a won a line out in a promising position. The vociferous and partisan home support in the stand were getting impatient and constantly complaining to the ref who seemed to respond by giving Selby a succession of free kicks, for reasons unclear to the neutral. However, after 15 minutes following another Selby free kick and passing move along the threequarters, young Brods’ centre Fyn Hobson, ever alert, intercepted and raced away from halfway to score under the posts, finishing with his trademark, theatrical high swallow dive, reminiscent of Tom Daley. Kelly added the extras 0-7.

From the kick off Selby caught the ball directly and drove for the line, camping on the Brods line for a few minutes. Aided by the ref’s whistle they were awarded a succession of kickable penalties and chose to scum down and drive for the line but Brods defence was resolute. On 18 minutes, however, the deadlock was broken when Selby attacked the Brods 22 on the right and young wing Jacob Grierson was deemed to have knocked the ball down with no intention of collecting it on a pass to the Selby wingman. The compulsory yellow card was given to Grierson and controversially a penalty try was awarded to Selby levelling the scores at 7-7. The home support was gleeful, but it appeared to the neutral that there was no certainty a try would have been scored had the ball gone to hand.

There was no doubting Selby’s next try on 22 minutes, when from the kick off, the home side broke on the left and their impressive speedy wing scored a long range try in the corner. The conversion was missed but Selby were now in the lead at 12-7. Directly from the next kick off, the impressive Brods number 8, Millington, caught the ball and set up good field position from which the ball was distributed across the back line. Shortly afterwards on 25 minutes, Ethan Wroot broke clear and from 30 metres no one could catch the young wingman who scored impressively, the try being cooly converted by Kelly. 12-14 to the Brods. It was next the turn of Selby to score following a period of sustained forward pressure, the Selby rolling maul eventually rumbled over. Conversion missed 19-14 after 30 minutes. Up to this point Selby had had the majority of possession and benefitted from a series of penalties from Brods infringements.

On 30 minutes Grierson returned to the fold and Brods were starting to make substitutes, Culf coming on for Taylor on 35. Penalties were now being awarded to Brods and on 35 minutes Kelly elected to kick from a Selby offside. A successful kick made it 19 -17. This was followed by smart passing along the Brods threequarters and another infringement by Selby gave Kelly the opportunity to put the Brods ahead 19-20 on 37 minutes.

From the kick off a break by Craven put Brods on the attack and Kelly consolidated with a kick to Selby territory. Scrappy play ensued resulting in Selby taking the game to the Brods, but Brods tackling was outstanding where diminutive scrum half Kemp was leading by example. However, after another free kick to Selby, awarded for some mysterious reason, the impressive Selby centre broke clear and scored on right hand side of the posts. Conversion missed making the score 22 -20 to the home side at half time.

At half time, the spectators had been treated to a great first half, a fine advertisement for the game of rugby between two well matched young sides and played in exemplary spirit. It was impossible to predict which team would go on to win at this stage.
The second half commenced with the wind picking up and as last week getting stronger as the game went on. The Brods, with substitutes Cam Wroot and Jimmy Hodgkinson now on the field, went on the attack for the initial minutes of the half with their forwards making inroads into the Selby half with their driving maul. Selby were defending well and after a long kick aided by the wind, the home side were in good field position in the Brods 22. Selby now applied more pressure and their forwards powered over from close range. Conversion successful putting Selby ahead 29-20 after 52 minutes. Reinforcements from the visitors’ bench were called and the Brods slowly began gaining the upper hand. One particularly exciting move saw play advancing from the visitors 22 into the Selby 22 with Peter Ashton galloping up field before passing to Craven who was tackled short.

On 60 minutes there was a delay in proceedings due to an injury to a Selby player. Ashton had the bit between his teeth and drove into the Selby defence, as did Smart and Millington. Particularly prominent was Cole Wilson, making a cameo appearance, and he was prominent in both attack and defence. The Brods persevered with the rolling maul and after a succession of thwarted attacks on the Selby line were awarded a penalty try. 29-27. However Brods euphoria was sort lived as from the kick off, the ball was spilled and an advancing Selby forward hacked forward, followed up and scored a fluky try against the run of play, the conversion putting the home side ahead at 36 -27. This was followed shortly afterwards by another Selby rolling maul try and at 41-27 after 70 minutes the Selby faithful thought the game was over. But the Brods were determined and had other ideas.

The Brods now took charge and began dominating proceedings with their forwards, led by Captain Elliott Craven and Cole Wilson advancing towards the Selby line. After a line out near the Selby line the Brods were over again after the ball was spread from a rolling maul with Craven crashing over to the left side of the posts, the try being converted by Josh Kelly against a now strong wind, making the score 41-32 after 73 minutes. From the kick off, Brods were attacking again and making ground up-field with slick passing to the left then right. When winger Ethan Wroot was caught short of the line a penalty was taken quickly and Brods were over again in the right-hand corner. Conversion missed 41- 37.

Selby kicked off again and with little time remaining the Brods attacked again with Hodgkinson and Wilson prominent. But with time out and the ball spilled 30 metres from the Selby line, the final whistle blew with Selby running out winners of a pulsating match in which both sides can take great credit.

Brods are looking forward to Round 2 of the Papa Johns Cup next week with Birkenhead Park the visitors. The fat lady has not sung just yet.