THERE were plus points for Selby RUFC despite losing 22-18 to Ripon in a club fixture.

Not least of the positive factors were the performances of the younger players Ben Aked and Sam Weller, while old hand Wright Phillips had one of his best games of the season.

However, this was Selby's sixth consecutive defeat. They haven't won since their league victory over Goole at Sandhill Lane on October 8.

Selby were 13-3 ahead early in the second half but went on to concede three tries before pulling one back in the last minute.

Selby created a hatful of try-scoring chances but failed to take them.

Their forwards were under pressure in the set pieces but excelled in the line-out. The tackling left a lot to be desired. The backs were far more inventive and incisive but disjointed, Shaun Austerfield being the pick.

With backs Andy Bennett, dropping to the bench with a niggling injury and Andy Gabel unavailable, skipper Toby Pemberton filled in at centre, with another young Academy player, Darren Hunter, taking over on the wing. Jonathan Crane came on to the bench.

Selby failed to turn their early pressure into points and became pinned in their own 22. They defended well and started to come more into the game in the middle of the second quarter but were forced into an early substitution, with young prop Craig Daltrey having to leave the field with a rib injury in the 34th minute. Mark Tomlinson came on as replacement.

Two minutes later, centre Austerfield went in at the corner for a try after good work by Dan Porter and Sam Weller. Porter missed the difficult conversion.

Selby increased their lead to 8-0 in the first minute of added-on-time with a straightforward penalty kick by Dan Porter.

Ripon full back Stuart Butters slotted over a penalty just before the interval.

It was all Selby at the start of the second half, with Wright Phillips and Jason Cicero outstanding.

Selby deservedly increased their lead in the 47th minute after a catch and drive from the line out was mauled to the line, with Ben Aked picking up and going over for the try near the corner. Porter's conversion kick sailed narrowly wide.

After 49 minutes young Crane replaced Rob Triffitt for Selby.

Ripon cut the deficit in the 57th minute with a try from their own 22 as poor Selby tackling allowed Al Norrie to go over. Stuart Butters slotted the conversion to.

Aked committed a professional foul in the 64th minute and was shown the yellow card.

Selby's defence cracked two minutes later, Ripon substitute No 8 Andy Ross going over for a try which Butters converted to put his side 17-13 ahead.

Despite Aked's return after 74 minutes, Selby conceded their third try minute. Ripon flanker Jim Durdie touched down in the 79th minute. Butter missed the conversion.

Selby should have replied with a try almost immediately, but a wrong option by the backs with the line at their mercy once again let Ripon off the hook.

Weller scored in the corner in the sixth minute of added on time, the conversion failing to go over.

Next week Selby return to Powergen League action with the visit to Sandhill Lane of Bridlington. This is followed by an away trip to Huddersfield to take on YMCA before the last league game of 2005 at Sandhill Lane, against Wheatley Hills. These three games will probably determine whether Selby will sink or swim in Yorkshire 1.

Updated: 10:09 Monday, November 28, 2005