York RUFC snatch victory over Selby

The home side’s indifferent display hardly merited a win in a disappointingly low-key clash at Clifton Park.

Missing four regulars in the backs, York lacked any real cutting edge and rarely threatened a sound Selby defence.

They presented Selby with a six-point start thanks to basic errors, dropping the kick-off and twice being penalised for offside at the breakdown.

Alex Webster made no mistake with the simple penalties. York edged in front when deliberate ball killing prevented the forwards from driving over and the resultant penalty try was converted by Jon Dawes.

Offside in the backs saw Dawes extend the lead with a penalty, but Swans full-back Ben Lunt cut through to score a good try, which was converted by Webster.

Jo Maud then made a storming run into the visitors’ 22 but was penalised for not releasing when York were slow in support.

Two excellent driving mauls took play to the Selby line, where debutant scrum-half Jack Maud jinked over.

Selby hit back strongly and almost grabbed a second try, but York were saved by the half-time whistle to lead 15-13.

The second half was a poor affair littered with infringements, three yellow cards and uncontested scrums. Selby regained the lead when Lunt took advantage of a forward-looking pass to score his second try, but York grabbed the spoils at the death when Jo Maud crossed in the left corner.

Leaders Malton and Norton need only seven points from their remaining three games to clinch the Yorkshire One title after a 36-19 victory at Dinnington.

The Ryedale side took an early lead when flanker George Harrison was stopped just short but centre Ryan Lonsdale barged over. Then, despite having controlled possession and territory for the first 20 minutes, Malt allowed the hosts to take the lead. Malton were penalised at a scrum and Dinnington walked through some woeful tackling to get a converted try. On the half hour, Malt’s pressure paid off when full-back Ian Cooke and winger Rob Armitage combined to send Harrison over the line.

Dinnington scored again just before the break to hold a half-time lead.

Within a minute of the restart, the visitors were back in front when Lonsdale crashed over for his second try and Teei Piawi converted.

Then Piawi made a half break before handing on to wing Tom Newitt, who crossed for the first of his three tries. Piawi converted and Malt held a ten-point lead. The try of the game ten minutes from time sealed the result. From a scrum 20 metres out and five metres from touch, Malton executed a perfect training ground move, with fly-half Chris Creber and centres Lonsdale and Piawi acting as decoys as Newitt was given a clear run through the defence.

With five minutes remaining, the hosts got their third try, but Newitt completed his hat-trick in injury time and Piawi converted.

Pocklington made sure of promotion from Yorkshire Two with three games to spare thanks to a 20-5 win at Ripon.

Pock went ahead with first quarter tries from full-back Nick Bennett and lock Ed Bean.

They were disrupted when number eight Matt Davies broke an ankle, but Bennett added a penalty to make it 13-0 at the interval.

The visitors made a poor start to the second period and Ripon hit back when scrum-half Rob Nicholson weaved through for a try.

But Pock regained the initiative and the backs broke down the touchline for Bennett to go over for his second try and a conversion.

Ripon applied persistent pressure in the final quarter but Pocklington’s strong defence ensured a comfortable victory.

Meanwhile, York RI went down 31-0 at home to leaders Wath upon Dearne in Yorkshire Three.