Playing against another of the early pace-setters in the League, Selby were once again able to match their opponents for long periods in the tackle and at set phases of the game, but struggled to match the speed of thought and movement whenever the game became more fluid. It is difficult to knock the courage and willingness of the players who, despite conceding 7 tries were determined to have the final word by crossing for the last score of the match.

The game got off to the worst possible start as a mis-cued kick off by Moortown caused confusion in the Selby defence and a hasty clearance gave Moortown the put in at a line out on the Selby 22. Within 2 minutes of the start the home side had opened their account as a clean take at the back of the line out created space in the middle of the pitch for the backs to show their finesse in creating a 2 man overlap on the right and an easy run in for the opening score. A well struck conversion opened a 7 point gap before Selby had got into their stride.

A textbook copy of the first score after just 9 minutes saw Moortown again cross wide out on the right, but this time the conversion was unsuccessful, and within 5 minutes the home three quarters spurned another scoring opportunity when the final pass ended up going behind the winger and into touch with the Selby line begging.

For the vast majority of the opening quarter Selby’s defence was tested to the limit and an unfortunate, heavy collision in midfield resulted in Skipper Tom Edwards being yellow carded and sent for an HIA at the same time. Although Moortown were unable to profit from the penalty, a wayward clearance from a free kick on 22 minutes was gratefully gathered by the home full back who carved through the Selby defence for a fine individual try wide on the left. The unsuccessful kick at goal gave the home side a 17 point cushion.

Moortown secured the 4 try bonus point on the half hour mark when Selby were harshly penalised on their 22 for not rolling away when to most observers the decision should have gone in favour of Tom Scholefield for his excellent work at the breakdown. A kick to the 5 metre line resulted in a clean catch and drive from the line out with Moortown taking advantage of the extra man in the forwards to crash over. The conversion stretched the lead to 24 points, a lead which looked certain to be further extended after 35 minutes had it not been for an excellent chase back and tackle 5 metres out by “Bob” Robinson. Selby had been pressing on the home 22 and had taken the ball through a number of phases, but a dropped pass was swooped upon by the Moortown defence who quickly turned defence into attack to highlight a difference in quality from some of the Rugby played last season before Selby’s promotion.

With the referee deciding not to allow Tom Edwards to return to the fray, despite being given a clean bill of health by the Physiotherapist, a re-shuffle in the forwards saw Charlie Thompson move to the back row and Duncan Hardy take his place at Hooker. With no further score, the Moortown lead was 24-0 at the half time whistle.

Bruce Potter was introduced in place of Max Wotton at the start of the second half and despite having conditions in their favour, Selby were soon under pressure again. A clever 50/22 kick from the home fly half after 44 minutes gave Moortown the throw at a line out and a break down the short side almost resulted in a further try but instead saw Selby forced to drop out from their own line. A poor kick failed to clear the 22 and gave Moortown a perfect opportunity to charge at the Selby line, engage the forwards in midfield and easily create space wide on the left wing for the score. Another successful conversion stretched the Moortown to lead to 31 points.

Despite this further setback, the Selby forwards were in determined mood and started to gain the upper hand, forcing a number of penalties and eventually driving the home side back into their own 22. A quickly taken penalty by Harrison Green was supported by all the forwards and it was only a miss judged kick for the corner that went straight into touch that allowed Moortown to clear downfield. When another speculative kick from midfield was fumbled just outside the Selby 22 on the hour mark the home forwards were given a perfect platform to release their fly half who stepped through the Selby defence before drawing the last defender and putting his centre in for an easy score by the side of the posts, the conversion making it 38-0.

Adam Leetham made way for Andy Tunningley on 62 minutes having put in a great shift both in attack and defence, but the change made no difference to the effectiveness of the forward unit. Determined to play positive Rugby, Selby again fell foul of their own ambition when another dropped pass on the 22 presented Moortown with a further chance to switch defence into attack and create the room for the left winger to run round under the sticks to ensure an easy conversion and a 45 point cushion.

The game was approaching the final 10 minutes when Selby finally got the reward that their whole hearted efforts had thoroughly deserved. Having driven into the Moortown 22 Selby forced a penalty and decided to take a scrum rather than kick for the corner. Jamie Ibbetson, who was at the centre of the action all afternoon, picked up from the base of the scrum and ran hard at the Moortown line. Although he was unable to make it over the line himself, the supporting forwards drew in the majority of the home defence and when the ball was moved wide, Bob Robinson was on hand to take the scoring pass. An excellent conversion from wide out on the right by Henry Wright at last gave the Selby faithful something to celebrate and marked the final score of another tough afternoon.

Next Saturday Selby are at home to Morley, a team they have never met in League rugby. With only a point separating the 2 sides near the foot of the table this is a game Selby need to win to re kick start their season.