BATTLING Selby RUFC deservedly displayed their underdog status to put the Yorkshire Shield bite on Pocklington RUFC.

The second round derby duel went to the lower league hosts by a healthy 23-10 margin to reward Selby’s best performance for close on a couple of seasons.

Pocklington’s big forwards had the advantage of possession, but although their Selby counterparts were under the cosh, they played magnificently particularly in defence. Though both sides scored two tries Selby always looked the likelier and ended clear winners after taking their chances well.

In contrast, Pocklington often made errors at key times, both in execution and decision making, and failed to turn pressure into points, even when Selby were down to 14 men for much of the second half.

Perhaps Pocklington made too good a start. They were ahead after just three minutes as flanker Jack Holbrough’s charge enabled wing Billy Hardy to race over in the left corner.

But Selby soon hit back through midfield, and former Pocklington Colt Alex Webster went in under the posts for the outstanding Josh Cruise to convert before promptly adding a penalty.

Another good passing move from the hosts saw centre Sam Weller loop round to score in the corner, Cruise converting from the touchline.

After Pocklington missed a kickable penalty, Cruise was on target at the other end to make it 20-5 at the break.

Soon after, Cruise squirted a drop goal over via the post and bar.

Pocklington tried to muscle their way back into contention and Selby had a forward sin-binned.

But the home side held firm at a series of five-metre scrums. Selby had just got back to full strength when Weller was sent off for a ‘Warburton tackle’ in midfield.

Pocklington took advantage and eventually wing Dan Pickard powered over on the right.

But Selby’s strong defence repelled a series of close-range charges from the Pocklington forwards to advance into the Shield quarter-finals.