BRADFORD SALEM RFC 34 v 5 SELBY RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

In atrocious conditions on a pitch barely suitable for play Selby once again capitulated in the face of a fierce physical onslaught from Bradford Salem who earlier in the season inflicted their heaviest defeat of a difficult campaign.

The omens looked ominous from the outset as Salem opened their account in the opening minute when full back Danny Belcher converted a penalty awarded on the Selby 22. Selby then managed to force their way into the Salem half and following a number of pick and drives which started way back on the Salem 10 metre line the space was created for skipper Sam Weller to crash over with 8 minutes played. Unfortunately the conversion by Scott Hunt was off target and that signalled the end of Selby's scoring for the rest of the game as the home side took the initiative and regained the lead just 4 minutes later courtesy of an unconverted try down the right wing by Ryan Smith. Full Back Belcher was soon back in the limelight after 16 minutes when a very similar break down the right wing saw Selby's defence once more outflanked. His successful conversion stretched the lead to 10 points at 15-5. Despite their dominance in most areas of the pitch the home side were unable to extend their lead in the rest of the half and the visitor’s only real attack on the Salem line was dealt with effectively by a well organised home defence just minutes before the half time whistle.

Selby's slow start to the first half was mirrored at the outset of the second period when, following a Salem scrum on the 40 metre line, full back Danny Belcher again caught the eye, scything through the Selby defence to touch down close to the posts before kicking the conversion to hand his side a 17 point lead. Within just 3 further minutes Salem had registered their 4th, bonus point try when a 5 metre scrum was taken against the head by the home forwards and scrum half Matt Child was able to pick up and dart over, leaving Belcher a regulation conversion and a 29-5 advantage. It is to Selby's great credit that they refused to buckle in the face of continued intense pressure and the forwards succeeded in securing considerable amounts of ball at the break down and forcing the home side into conceding a number of penalties as a result. Unfortunately they were unable to make any further impression on the Salem defence who dealt with Selby's best efforts without great difficulty. However the home side were themselves kept at bay for a further 30 minutes before notching their final try after 74 minutes. Having forced a scrum 5 metres from the Selby line, Salem were able to take a clean strike and when the ball was moved wide Ryan Smith was on hand to cross for his second try of the match. Belcher was unable to kick the difficult conversion from wide out and though Selby managed to force their way back into the Salem 22 there proved to be no further score with the home side running out comfortable winners at 34 points to 5.

The Selby players will welcome the break from League Rugby for a week and will have the chance to re-group before the new month which sees them with fixtures which will, without doubt, prove crucial in their bid to stay in Yorkshire 1. The glimpses shown in some of the second half fixtures suggest that Selby have what it takes to ensure their survival but wins and bonus points are the order of the day if the eternal optimism of the Selby faithful is to be re-paid before the end of the season.