In a game that see-sawed back and forth from start to finish, the spectators were entertained with a bruising local derby that made up for the lack of free-flowing rugby we may have hoped for with the recent weather, with competitive spirit and sheer bloody effort. A torrential downpour half an hour before the game left a lot of standing water on the Sandhills Lane pitch and a ball that was like a bar of soap, though the underfoot conditions were reportedly firm.

Selby kicked off and were soon over the York whitewash when Parsonage, son of former York wing Mick Parsonage, crossed in almost the first minute after quick reactions at the breakdown secured the ball for Selby to attack around the edges, Parsonage cutting through to score to the left of the posts. An easy kick for Wright and an easy start for Selby, York seemingly still in the changing room. Selby 7 York 0.

Selby continued to contest the ball to good effect at the breakdown and looked lively in attack as York struggled to get themselves into the game with fly half Wright looking composed and in control as he kept the Selby pack on the front foot and the York defence turning. York didn't help themselves getting isolated and turning ball over at the breakdown. York eventually worked a position in the Selby 22m area with a low raking kick from Davies showing his versatility at fly half (Has he played every position in the back line this season?). A penalty to York gave the opportunity to place the ball in the corner for the lineout 8 metres out. Two phases later and Jackson was crashing over to score York's first of four tries. Converted by Davies, honours were even 7 – 7. Goulding was soon to score the second as York returned to the Selby line five minutes later, again converted by Davies. Selby 7 York 14.

The wet conditions made handling difficult which should have favoured the bigger York pack but Selby fought hard at every encounter, motivated by the prospect of relegation. They certainly had the edge at the breakdown winning at least seven turnovers in the first half hour, but they were also proving a handful in the set piece, particularly in the scrum where York have been dominant this season. In the modern game, the role of hooker has been devalued as a specialist skill, but Dentith demonstrated that sometimes the old ways still work securing a number of balls against the head by the end of the game. Both sides tackled valiantly but York seemed to develop a habit of slipping off the tackle as they went to ground giving Selby momentum. Selby by contrast met the attacking York players with fearless endeavour, hitting hard and occasionally in numbers. Selby’s commitment paid off as they levelled the game just before half time with a converted try. Selby 14 York 14.

The second half started as the first half finished. Selby carrying hard and recycling well. Five minutes in and York were penalised for being off their feet at the breakdown. Selby carried and recycled to the York line to take the lead with a forwards try again converted by Wright. Selby 21 York 14.

York’s response was a little slow in coming but as they picked up momentum at the breakdown, clearing the jacklers out more effectively, their tempo increased and the pace began to tell. The York scrum functioning properly again and their short forward game in full flow, it was only a matter of time before the pressure turned into points, Goulding deemed to have touched down amongst the pile of bodies that had been building on the Selby line for some minutes. Davies having a good day with his boot levelled the score at 21 points each.

The game was nip and tuck at this stage. Selby edged into the lead 24 – 21 with a well struck penalty by Wright but the battle ground was the middle of the field, the conditions taking their toll on individual skill levels but not commitment as both sides engaged in a physical battle. Another period of territorial dominance from York saw them camped on the Selby line again with stalwart defence keeping the short forward drives out and denying York its reward. Recognising this, Atkin moved the ball away from the breakdown. Two long passes off the left hand found Peplinski waiting on the wing who made no mistake crossing wide in the left-hand corner. A magnificent kick by Davies from the touchline took York into the lead 24 – 28.

Selby responded with everything they had, including the kitchen sink. A glimpse of the running ability in this young side was shown as they attacked down the right through Scholefield. Burlingham hit him hard and low, knocking him backwards giving York time to regroup. Selby couldn't convert their position, York eventually forcing the penalty and clearing their line to touch for Mr Robson to blow the final whistle. Final score Selby 24 York 28. Not a pretty game to watch but hard fought and full of local rivalry that the crowd cheered on with every blow of the game.

York: Burlingham, Woffendin, Atkinson, Fordy, Peplinski, Davies, Atkin, Westaby, Consterdine, Scholey, Croft, Petty, Goulding, Fothergill, Du Boulay. Rep: Jackson, Layne, Reed.

Selby: Bramley, Scholefield, Bramley, Webster, Infante, Wright, Parsonage, Reid, Dentith, Wotton, Ibbetson, Townend, Wilson, Vea, Cicero. Rep: Lamb, McGrory-Hill, Poskitt.