Selby RUFC had a resounding 51-20 triumph over Yorkshire 2 side Ripon in a friendly at Sandhill Lane.

After an even first half, in which Selby earned a narrow 17-15 lead, four tries in the space of ten minutes in the third quarter of a second half which Selby totally dominated, set them on their way to their biggest win of the season.

The highlight of the match was the try-scoring exploits of Selby winger Andy Gabel and centre and man-of-the-match Shaun Austerfield.

They both bagged four tries in a match which should prove a useful workout in preparation for next week's crucial home relegation clash with Huddersfield YMCA.

After starting with a flourish, Austerfield jinking over for his first try after four minutes, the hosts could not quite get clear of Ripon, who led briefly in the first half with tries from Bob Whittaker, Dave Ellis and Dan Grevell.

But after the interval Selby took full advantage of the fatigue suffered by the Ripon forwards, whose lone reply to the Austerfield and Gabel blitz was an Al Norrie try.

For the hosts young substitute Anthony Townend marked his debut with a try with veteran Ray Adamson goaling a conversion to add to two from Dan Porter.

Updated: 10:15 Monday, April 03, 2006