Well its been an interesting couple of weeks since my last programme notes when we enjoyed a thoroughly deserved victory over a very tough, well expensed!! Bradford Salem team. We showed a tremendous amount of character, tenacity, team spirit and not to say clear execution to eventually overpower them.

I really don’t know why teams pay players in this league, either directly or indirectly. Were playing at level 7 in the rugby pyramid and none of us are going to go up into the semi professional ranks so why do it, I just don’t and never have understood the logic. Yorkshire One is now littered with sides who over the years have had their tilt higher up echelon only for them to come thumping back down when the source of the funds dries up. We remain and will always remain a community rugby club, developing our home-grown talent, through our outstanding youth system, with the best possible coaching available. Our current first team is almost entirely home grown, something we are extremely proud of at Selby RUFC

Last week we travelled to the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham to play a very large rotund Dinnington side who after a few years in North 2 East are probably back at the level which suits them. Not the best place to visit aesthetically, but always a good welcome off the field and last week was no exception.

We were not quite at full strength but our performance was very good, the score line, losing 20-19 was not a reflection of the game and a visit to the Dinnington website match report will collaborate my view. Upon reflection we were by far the better team, we posed more of a threat going forward an in defence and on a man for man basis we had much better players on show on the day. To come away losing was disappointing and we have to learn that we have to be more clinical and at times manage our territory better. The match ended in bizarre circumstances and without going into all the details we were denied a legitimate try in injury time when Tom Edwards touched the ball down after the opposition defender knocked on in his own in-goal area, only for the referee to say he was “unsighted”. All the opposition players and coaching staff could quite believe it either, the sad thing is that would have given us our 4th try and a bonus point win, but ‘que sera’ we move on…..

And what a game to move onto….today we entertain high flying Old Crossleyans who have won 4 from 4 since their promotion back to Yorkshire One last season. I remember speaking to my old friend and rival Howard Cooper a couple of years ago when they were on their way to relegation and I remember him speaking like Arnie saying “We’ll be back”, well they certainly are.. I understand they have recruited a few players and coaches from ‘The dark side’ and playing some pretty high intensity, strong running rugby so there is no doubt we will have our work cut out today. That said, on our day, with our best side available were a match for anyone in this league…
Whilst its early days the league is beginning to take shape, Crossleyans win last week over my tip for promotion Middlesbrough clearly opens things up but those two sides along with Heath are the early front runners. I want us to be hunting in that pack behind along with Beverley, Moortown and Old Bods, I have noted the start Pontefract have made but they have some much more difficult fixtures to come over the next few weeks.

Today we hope to have three lads back who were unavailable last week and this should give us a lift in front of our usual strong home support.

Our 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams have started the season in great style and its pleasing to report that we are very close to starting our 5th team again. All the lower teams have 4 or 5 subs and its our plan to perhaps organise a fixture for early October. A lot of work by the managers and captains has resulted in new players returning, O2 touch on a Wednesday gets at least 25+ every week and as a result of some new recruits to the area through the growth of Selby as a town we now have a strong competitive 2nd team for the first time in a few years. Competition for places is strong which can only lead to improved personal performances and as a result of this numbers at training are at the 30 mark.

For those of you that read this before the game could I ask you to look out for a new recruit in the bar after the game today. As you know over the years we have had an exchange policy with a couple of teams in NZ where boys come over here and enjoy our hospitality, camerdary and rugby experience and our own boys have the option to share the same experience on the other side of the world. Over the years about 8 or 9 lads have enjoyed this exchange. Well earlier this week Sam Phipps arrived from The Bay of Plenty region, Sam is a 25 year old lock who is a good friend of our very own Rob Taylor. We all wish Sam an enjoyable stay, he will be staying with our president working locally. He isn’t able to play yet because we require his international clearance but I expect him to be on the adjeacent field in the 2nd team. We can then have a good look at him in training!!! May I offer a very warm Yorkshire welcome Sam and hope your time in Yorkshire is an enjoyable and rewarding one.

Oh and my Little purple book ……. Its still 100% accurate (last week I could have gone well ahead) but ask me after today’s game.
Yours in rugby

Steve Cruise