There was no shock at Sandhill Lane where Selby were hammered 46-17 by unbeaten Yorkshire One leaders Beverley.

Selby, with an under-strength pack, found themselves 25-5 down by half time and an improved second half performance was to no avail.

Selby drop to eighth in Yorkshire One and, after a sixth consecutive league game without a win, are now looking anxiously over their shoulders.

With skipper and prop Andrew Pocklington failing a fitness test on his knee, prop Paul Gable delayed because of work commitments, Ben Marshall unavailable and Jamie Pocklington withdrawing due to injury, coach Diccon Edwards' plans were in disarray before kick-off.

Stalwart props Ian Copperwheat and Mark Tomlinson, with a combined age of 87, started with Kevin Lowery drafted into the second row to partner the late availability of Jason Cicero.

The game was only three minutes old when Beverley booted an offside penalty and, after some good back play by Selby came to nothing, Beverley extended their lead, imposing centre Iosua Segi going under the posts.

Hooker Shaun Cross was next to cross after a turnover and flanker Malaki Kolomatangi did likewise just after the half-hour.

Selby never gave up and were rewarded when scrum-half Mathew Smith released his backs on the blind side and Shaun Austerfield went over in the corner for his 16th try of the season.

But Beverley increased their lead in added-on time with a penalty by Ian Archibald to add to his two conversions.

Selby started brightly in the second half and winger Dan Porter was only denied due to a foot in touch a couple of metres out. However, Beverley increased their lead with another try by Segi.

A double substitution by Selby, with Duncan Phillips and Toby Pemberton replacing Kevin Lowery and Martin Protheroe, heralded the next score with Selby winning lineout ball for stand-off Cawthorn to release Austerfield, who sent Toby Pemberton under the posts, Dan Porter converting.

Beverley came back and Segi barged over for his hat-trick try and, although Selby scored again as Andy Gabel scampered over, the visitors had the last word as winger Umberto Cuozzo crossed for Archibald to add his third conversion of the half.

Selby nearly scored the try of the game at the death, running the ball from their own line, but it was not to be.

Updated: 10:47 Monday, December 20, 2004