A long-held tradition of lunch for supporters of Selby RUFC takes place on the final Saturday before Christmas, with those gathered affectionately known as “The Muffits”. The club welcomed Morley as visitors, with the lunch organised by Heidi and Phil Redfearn and eight tables named after former club stalwarts.

Team news saw the return of front-rower Jamie Dentith to the starting XV, with Ryan Lamb named on the bench. With both Bramley brothers away watching the cricket in Australia, Ed Wake (sponsored by B & R Sides) made his first league start of the season at centre, while Dan Evans slotted in at full-back. Harrison Green also returned to the forwards after a number of years away from the game. Jack Todd and Archie Bennett are the only players to feature in every match this season, a testament to their commitment and reliability.

Selby got their now trademark fast start. Territory near the Morley line and sharp thrusts by Todd, James Hunt and Harry Tunningley drew in the defence before Hola Vea drove over close to the posts. Dan Evans converted for a 7–0 lead.

Selby continued to enjoy territory but were unable to add further scores. Dan Reid came close with a chip and chase but was unable to touch down. The back row of Vea, Green and particularly man-of-the-match Harry Tunningley gave Selby the upper hand in the loose, delivering crunching tackles throughout. Fancy-dress reindeer, Santas and Christmas stars from the second team stood on benches and chairs providing loud and enthusiastic support, lifting the mood in the misty conditions.

Morley struck back with the final play of the first half. A 50–20 from stand-off Frankland moved play to the Leeds Road end. From the resulting line-out the forwards rumbled over for a try, leaving the score 7–5 at half-time.

Alex Dolat replaced Hunt at the break. A long touch-finder was then brilliantly caught by supporter David ‘DB’ Bramley near the cricket square, the farmer muddying his coat and hands for the first time in years. Morley pressed, and from a line-out on the 22 in front of the Swans’ Nest—occupied by match sponsors Mayfair Security—they scored again. The ball was thrown to the middle and impressive flanker Brown came round the front to touch down in the corner.

Evans tied the scores at 10–10 with a penalty as Morley infringed at the restart. The visitors then attacked again and looked likely to score, but Green read the situation perfectly, intercepting on the 22-metre line. Closed down by cover defence, he off-loaded to the supporting Reid, who used subtle football skills to get the ball over the line before grounding. Evans converted, and Selby led 17–10 with twenty minutes to play.

The Swans continued to press and an attacking opportunity was halted by what appeared to be a deliberate knock-on from Morley, though only a scrum was awarded when a penalty and yellow card seemed likely. The visitors regrouped, but a forward drive was halted by a truck-and-trailer infringement, relieving the pressure.

Morley then spent long periods in the Selby half. Another contentious moment followed when Alex Webster was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle with four minutes remaining. Morley twice went close through their forwards before numbers finally told, and the ball was worked wide for winger Ryan to score in the far corner.

The final act was the conversion. From the touchline Frankland struck the kick cleanly through the posts to level the match at 17–17.
A disappointing result in the end, though a marked improvement on the defeat away at Morley earlier in the season. With Morley third in the table and Selby fifth, there were plenty of positives: the pack worked tirelessly, Tunningley’s robust performance was one to savour, and the backs adapted well despite several regulars missing. Attention now turns to the traditional Exiles match on Boxing Day, before the league resumes in the New Year.

A combined thirds and fourths fixture at Cleckheaton was also arranged, credit to Rob Thornton and all players who showed the commitment to take part. Result 57-10.