AN EXCELLENT game of rugby saw Selby maintain their winning style with a 30-22 victory over Scarborough.

The Sandhill Lane club had lost to the Seasiders in the opening week of the Yorkshire One season, but they more than made amends for that defeat.

An opening blitz in the first few minutes saw Selby race into a 15-point lead as they used the breeze at their backs to their advantage.

A mistake by Scarborough's pack at the kick-off gifted Selby the ball, and their awesome power in the maul saw hooker Tom Bayston take the ball off Wright Phillips to score.

It was not long before Selby were further in front, with strong running centre Martin Bramley creating the opening for Richard Topping to score.

Carl Paterson added an easy conversion, and then slotted over a drop goal for good measure.

Instead of building on this platform, Selby took their foot of the gas and allowed Scarborough back into the game.

Two tries, one conversion and a penalty later and the scores were all level, but a Paterson penalty did give Selby an 18-15 advantage at the break.

Despite facing the elements - and a fly-half who knew how to exploit them - in the second half, Selby dominated possession and territory.

And the key score came when the referee finally awarded Duncan Phillips a try after Selby had three attempts at driving over from a rolling maul. Paterson's conversion gave them a 25-15 lead.

Not to be outdone, Duncan Phillips' brother Wright, having set-up Bayston in the first half, then scored a try to take the score to 30-15.

A defensive error allowed Scarborough to score a consolation converted try to set up a nervous few minutes.

Updated: 11:57 Monday, March 18, 2002