Exciting Win for Selby

Selby’s 1st and 2nd team set off from Sandhill Lane on their first bus trip of the season to Morley, buoyed by a large contingent of travelling supporters joining them on the short trip to West Yorkshire.

Morley are always a tough opposition at their home ground and with the addition of a constant drizzle, Selby were in for a tough afternoon.
As Selby kicked deep into Morley’s half, they managed to keep the home side pinned down with constant drives, edging closer and closer to the Morley line. Some poor discipline around the lineout and rucks eased the pressure on Morley, but on the 10 minute mark a good line break from the Australian bound, Ben Lodge, caused the Morley defence some serious problems and once on the back foot Selby were always going over for the try. Try Ben lodge, Conversion Henry Wright.

Morley kicked off and immediately went on the attack after a few handling errors from Selby. The Home side attacked from a scrum and slick hands and poor defending from the Selby backs led to a try in the left corner.

From the kick off Selby edged towards the Morley line winning a series of dominant scrums and putting pressure on the Morley 10. Pressure mounting Morley gave away a penalty in front of the posts. Selby opted for the scrum over the 3 points and presided to push the Morley back over their own line. Unfortunately, after a collapsed scrum Morley cleared their lines.

It was Morley’s turn to put pressure on the travelling side and after a handling error by Selby, Morley harangued to kick ahead and settle themselves in Selby’s half. After a solid scrum and a few quick pick and goes Morley managed to get behind Selby’s defence and quick ball down their back line ended in another try on the left hand corner for the home team.

The game turned a bit scrappy after Selby kicked off as the drizzle got heavier. Selby were applying the pressure and were camped in Morley’s half. Eventually Morley’s defence broke and after a clever kick and chase by Ramsay a few forward drives saw Dentith Drive over for his first try of the afternoon.

Half Time Morley 10 Selby 12

As the second half got underway and the drizzle intensified, Selby seemed to grasp the conditions and a simple line out on Morley’s 10M line saw Dentith drive over from a well worked catch and drive.

It was Morley’s turn to play the conditions and after keeping Selby pined in their 22 they managed to unleash their back division who again, proved too slick for Selby’s defence as they scurried over in the left hand corner.

After the kick off, and a series of clever kicks from Morley, forced Selby to defend their own line. Morley were now playing the conditions and controlling the pace of the ball. A series of forward drives saw the ball moved quicky to the right hand side and the home side were over again within five minutes of their last try. Morley 23 Selby 19

The wet conditions started to take their toll and both sides decided that playing without the ball was the better option. A series of clever box kicking by Morley’s 9 saw them gain field position but great defence from Selby saw them gradually edge up the field. A solid lineout and a quick drive forced Morley to give away a penalty. Selby decided to kick to the corner and from the lineout drove over the line to give Dentith his hat-trick. Henry Wright converted.

The last 10 minutes of the game were controlled by Selby who finally managed to play the conditions. Morley managed 3 points against the run of play before Selby’s pack drove over again from a cleanly taken lineout to make the final score Selby 31 Morley 26 and four tries to Man of the Match, Jamie Dentith.

This was an impressive win for Selby with the adverse weather conditions forcing them to play a different style of rugby from the free flowing summer rugby we have seen this season. The pack was dominant up front and in the scrum. Morley’s back division caused Selby some problems in attack but ultimately Selby’s grit and determination held out to take a well-deserved win away at Morley.

There will be no 1st XV fixture this weekend as Bridlington have conceded the Yorkshire Cup tie due to lack of available players.

However the 1st XV Ladies team will play Beverley with an 11.30 am KO and the 3rd XV play Mosborough Vets at 3.00 pm. Not to mention back to back World Cup Fixtures for all our home nation teams.

Clubhouse open from 11.00 am