SELBY’S apparent slide towards Yorkshire Two continued with a 45-18 defeat at home to Beverley.

With North Ribblesdale winning at Heath, Selby - who have now lost 12 games out of the last 13 - dropped to 12th place in Yorkshire One, just one point above the relegation zone.

However, there were still positives to come out of this game including the debut performance of Simon Billingsley and the return to first team action of Matthew Wood.

Selby made a bright start and took the lead when the visitors were penalised for offside under their posts. Fullback Scott Hunt made no mistake with the kick.

Unfortunately for Selby, centre Alex Hare had to leave the field in the build up and was unable to play any further part in the game.

.Beverley’s replied when a kick from just outside the 22 fell into the arms of winger Luke Hazell who galloped 65 metres unopposed for a try which was subsequently converted by Phil Duboulay.

Hunt reduced the deficit to a single point with a fine penalty from the 10 metre line as Selby worked hard to stay in the game.

A penalty after 28 minutes allowed the visitors to kick to the corner and a secure catch at the line-out saw Isaac Keighley driven over for his side’s second try and a 12-6 lead.

A disastrous spell of ten minutes around the half time break saw Selby blown away as Beverley rattled up three tries and blind side flanker Sam Broughton was sin-binned for failing to roll away at the tackle.

A failed touch kick allowed Jack Garvinto score and Duboulay added the extras.

The lead increased to 31-6 soon after the interval. Centre James Graham scored between the posts presenting Duboulay with another simple conversion. Hazell added his second of the afternoon and, with the result now beyond doubt, Selby finally started to take the game to the visitors.

Billingsley claimed a try on his debut although Hunt was unable to convert.

The celebrations were short-lived as the Beverley three quarters opened up the Selby defence and Jake Holmes romped over for his side’s sixth try with Duboulay adding the conversion. 38-11.

Beverley scored again after 69 minutes. A failed kick to touch gave the three quarters another chance to show off their skills and some slick inter-passing created the score for prop forward Kris Renwick. Duboulay added his fifth conversion.

It is to Selby’s credit that they not only prevented the visitors hitting the 50 mark but dominated play in the final 10 minutes. They gained some reward in injury time when an unstoppable drive from yet another penalty in the Beverley 22 saw Wood bundled over for a late consolation.

Hunt’s conversion brought things to a conclusion and the 45-18 scoreline flattered the visitors.