ANOTHER narrow defeat saw Selby RUFC slip to sixth place in Yorkshire One, writes Stephen Ward.

This time they went down 22-20 at home to Old Crossleyans in a game in which they had enough possession to have won comfortably.

With the sides level at 10-10, Selby were caught cold in the first minute of the second half, gifting the visitors a converted try from which they never really recovered.

Selby drew first blood after only five minutes when Jason Cicero won a lineout on the Crossleyans ten-metre line and the ball was moved on by Andy Gabel for man of the match Shane Sellers to go over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Crossleyans quickly hit back to score through the winger James Wainwright, kicker Liam Martindale's conversion attempt hitting an upright before bouncing out.

Selby were unable to convert pressure into points until the 26th minute when Matthew Smith darted over for his fourth try of the season. Toby Pemberton's difficult conversion attempt failed.

However, after Cicero was yellow-carded for persistently going in at the side, Crosslyeans drew level with a try by winger Ian Holmes.

It was 10-10 at the interval but Selby were soon caught napping after the re-start by a quick tap penalty which saw Richard Thomas stroll under the posts for Martindale to boot the extras.

A Pemberton penalty reduced the arrears but with 14 minutes remaining a speculative Pemberton drop kick attempt was charged down and opposing stand-off Tony Waite was able to sprint unopposed for 40 metres to score.

Although Martindale missed the conversion, Crossleyans were 22-13 ahead. Selby responded with more pressure on the visitors line and they were rewarded when centre Shaun Austerfield went over under the posts for his first try of the season.

Dan Porter kicked the conversion to take Selby within two points but they ran out of time in their efforts to push for victory.

Updated: 10:22 Monday, October 31, 2005