Victory in defeat for battling Selby Warriors (From York Press)

Victory in defeat for battling Selby Warriors

10:36am Thursday 20th September 2012 in Rugby League

Selby Warriors chairman Dave Sowden has praised the efforts of the club in overcoming several departures to get a second team out this season – but has called for more players to add to the ranks.

The Warriors, buoyed by a number of Pennine League promotions and cup conquests in recent years, have seen several players retire and others leave for pastures new. Kev Fellows has also taken over as first-team coach, with Paul Helstrip moving upstairs.

Last Saturday saw the ‘A’ team open their division seven campaign and, although they were heavily beaten, 56-0 to Moorends Thorne Marauders ‘A’, Sowden said the scoreline was of secondary importance.

“The fact the Warriors turned a second team out Saturday was a victory in itself,” he said. “The scoreline was irrelevent in lots of ways. The fact the club turned out 34 players in one day after so many departures and retirements last season was a great credit to everyone involved.”

David Ford made a welcome return, while Sowden also praised the teenagers in the line-up who manned up impressively.

“A massive plus-point came from the three 16-year-olds who played in the (‘A’ team) game,” he said. “Ben Clark, who played in the second row, even captained the side for a spell and had a great game in attack and defence. Then there was Robert Howard, who played stand-off and was dictating play like a 30-year-old veteran, and last but not least Jack Randle, who didn’t get much running opportunities but was excellent in defence.”

Other good games, albeit in defeat, came from prop Jason Robey, Sam Horne, Adam Lilley and Elliot Redmond.

Veteran Andy Rowe is coaching the side and new players are welcome at training on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm at their Websters Timbers sports ground.

This Saturday, the Warriors’ first team will look to bounce back from their division three defeat to West Leeds when they host Hoyland Vikings, while the second team are at Garforth Tigers.

New Earswick All Blacks also want a positive reaction after defeat when they take on Ossett Trinity in the championship division.

Coach Simon Malarkey, who wants to see a “better attitude”, will be without Sean Malarkey, Louis Pool and Alan Davidson but welcomes back Liam Booth, Jack Sinclair, Liam Gargan and Reece Blake. Jack Stearman, who played in the ‘A’ team last week due to work commitments, could also make a telling impact in the firsts.

All Blacks ‘A’ travel to Wibsey Warriors ‘A’ in division four.