Selby's victory over York by 24-13 in a friendly fixture at Sandhill Lane was deserved if not clear cut.

Selby played with the cohesion and confidence of a team used to success.

Already-relegated York, meanwhile, got a glimpse of what will be required of them next season in Yorkshire Division One - although they are entitled to feel they should be able to cope particularly if they can increase their goal-kicking strike rate.

The early exchanges displayed Selby's twin virtues of a powerful pack and slick handling outsides orchestrated by fly-half Carl Paterson, while York had problems holding their own scrum from the outset and were immediately on the back foot.

After ten minutes Selby capitalised when former York winger Mick Parsonage fly hacked for the ball to rebound into his hands.

The ball was quickly transferred to the left and back inside where huge lock Jason Cicero made a run down the middle for flanker Duncan Phillips to score too wide out for Paterson to convert.

Selby continued with ambitious handling but York centre Stu Davies latched on to a loose ball. However, his kick and chase to the line was thwarted by alert defence.

Nevertheless, the resultant 22 drop was charged down by York and Selby were penalised for killing the ball. Craig Ventress converted from in front of the posts to cut York's deficit.

York, however, were soon on the defence again and, at a scrum near their line, surprised themselves by heeling against the head but the ball was uncontrolled and fell to the hands of Selby scrum-half Andy Bennett to make a soft touchdown. Paterson could not convert.

York rallied and both Arkle and Andy Hurst made encouraging runs as they earned several penalty opportunities, but Ventress was only able to convert one out of four to leave Selby with a 10-6 advantage at the interval.

Selby soon extended their lead with two penalties from Paterson in the first ten minutes of the second half. It became apparent that York's pack was beginning to hold it's own in the tight which was just as well as they continually conceded possession at line-outs to Selby where skipper Cicero was particularly impressive.

After 15 minutes York came back into the game when centre Sean Bass extricated himself from a tight situation to create space for lock Chris Dempsey to romp 20 metres to score a try which Ventress converted.

At 16-13 to Selby an exciting finish was in prospect but Selby were in no mood to concede the spoils.

Their inventive passing continually switched play and put pressure on the York defence and that pressure earned them an offside penalty which Paterson converted.

York had a chance when Davies made room for full-back Tom Copeland to stride into the Selby 22 but lack of support meant the chance went astray.

Selby reasserted themselves with attacks on both wings and scored the decisive try some five minutes from the end. They earned a scrum eight metres from the York line and powerful number eight Wright Phillips picked up to force his way over to ensure victory for his side.

Updated: 12:34 Monday, March 26, 2001