YORK RUFC battled to a 15-6 derby victory at Selby in Yorkshire One.

The visitors led 3-0 at the break and 8-6 heading into the final stages before sealing the points with a converted try.

The York game plan was evidently to keep the ball and the play in the Selby half and, for the first 20 minutes, that was well executed with Josh Britland kicking neatly from hand.

The first two scoring chances came from penalties in the tenth and 12th minutes, but York’s George Davis was unlucky as one kick dipped under the crossbar and the second bounced off a post.

Selby full-back Josh Cruise also missed with a kick at goal.

The deadlock was broken on 32 minutes when a strong run by Billy Cakaunitabua resulted in Selby being penalised for not rolling away. Davis made it third time lucky, putting York 3-0 up.

Shortly after the score, York were reduced to 14 men as Marcus Britland was shown a yellow card for unsporting conduct.

Selby were unable to capitalise on the resulting penalty, Cruise missing a relatively easy shot at goal, while Davis was unable to convert a fourth penalty attempt.

As the game opened up, a York attack down the left saw them threaten the try line for the first time.

After failing to convert a three-on- two advantage, York recycled the ball and Eddie Bradshaw was rewarded for his consistent work as he crossed out wide on 58 minutes.

Four minutes later, York’s defence were penalised for being too eager and Selby’s Cruise converted the kick to make it 8-3.

On 69 minutes, York were penalised for taking out a player in the air and, as Selby moved down field, the visitors were punished again for being offside in defence.

Cruise took the opportunity to narrow the gap to two points and, after Davies missed a penalty shot, Selby piled pressure on the York defence, but lacked the penetration to break through.

The Swans missed a golden opportunity on 74 minutes when a two-man overlap 15 metres from the York line was wasted as the ball was taken into contact.

Five minutes later, a loose ball bounced in York’s favour and Sam Arkle hacked the ball through before gathering to cross under the posts. Davis added the extras.