In a thriller in front of a big Sandhill Lane crowd, Selby RUFC should have beaten Doncaster Phoenix, but instead crashed 35-27 in Yorkshire Two.

Phoenix scored with their first attack when poor tackling allowed full back Craig Deakin to touch down, Dan Storey converting. Selby reduced their arrears after 22 minutes with a penalty and followed this up with a wonderful try from second row forward Matthew Wood with Josh Cruise adding the extras.

But a missed tackle gifted Phoenix full back Deakin his second try. The hosts conceded another try on the stroke off half-time with centre Ollie Vidgeon touching down and Storey converting for a 19-10 half-time lead.

Storey sent over a penalty early into the second half only for Selby to counter when debutant wing replacement and North of England Under-18 trialist Charlie McCoy set up a stunning try. He offloaded for Cruise to kick through the Phoenix defence for Dan Porter to win the race. Cruise converted for the Swans to trail 22-17.

Another Storey penalty after 55 minutes was followed by Wood bagging his second try after stealing the ball from a Phoenix lineout on five metres. Cruise converted.

The Swans then went ahead with a Cruise penalty after Phoenix replacement Joe Horrocks was yellow carded.

But Storey replied in kind and two minutes from time home indiscipline probably robbed them of at least a losing bonus point when a Selby player was yellow-carded and a penalty decision reversed which meant that instead of being able to pressure the Phoenix line Selby were pinned back in their own ten-metre area.

Phoenix took full advantage with skipper and number 8 Ryan Peacey going over for the try and Storey converting.

The reverse dropped the Swans to fourth place in Yorkshire Two after losing three of their last four outings.