Selby RUFC 26 v 25 Bradford Salem RFC

Report by Ray Adamson

Having conceded over 100 points to Bradford Salem in 2 fixtures last season, Selby were intent on putting up a real fight and showing both their opponents and their faithful supporters how much they have improved in just a few months. A bonus point victory in very testing circumstances against a competitive Salem outfit was the perfect result for the youthful Selby side.

Selby kicked off towards the Leeds Road end of the ground and opened their account in the very first minute of the game when Salem were penalised for holding on at the tackle and Josh Cruise made no mistake with the kick at goal. Just 6 minutes later Cruise had a second chance when Salem's centre Sam Gardner was yellow carded for comments made after his side had been awarded a penalty themselves. Unfortunately the kick shaved the upright and the lead remained unchanged until 17 minutes into the game when Alex Hare crossed in the corner to open up an 8 point lead. Smart thinking by Scrum Half Andy McLoughlin saw him catch the Salem defenders unaware when taking a quick tap from a penalty. He handed on to Centre Ed Clark who carried on the attack before releasing Hare for his run to the corner.

The next ten minutes saw Selby take their foot off the gas and Salem responded by snatching the lead courtesy of two tries, firstly when Winger Ryan Smith scored wide out after 20 minutes and then when Scrum Half Matt Booth was on hand to take the scoring pass following a well worked Line-out on the 20 metre line and some slick handling by the three quarters. Full Back Danny Belcher was unable to hit the target with both conversions but with 27 minutes gone, his side had gained the upper hand and many expected them to kick on and stretch away. Selby however, had other ideas and when Cruise spotted a gap behind the Salem defence, his clever chip was collected by Winger George Stoker who again showed a delightful turn of pace to streak over for his fifth try of the season. Cruise's conversion was again foiled by the upright and Selby's narrow lead was short-lived, as Salem regained the advantage just 3 minutes after falling behind when Prop Forward John Bradbury was driven over the line following a solid catch and drive from the Selby 5 metre line. Belcher was unable to make the conversion but eventually opened his kicking account when Salem scored their bonus point try on the stroke of half time. Another clean catch and drive was held up on the Selby line and when the ball was shipped out to the backs, Fly half Andy Robinson was on hand to stride in under the posts giving Belcher the easiest of kicks and his side a 22 points to 13 lead at the interval.

The visitors started the second half where they left off, dominating the game but being made to work hard by a determined Selby rearguard action. The seemingly inevitable score came after 54 minutes when Selby were also reduced to 14 men when Stoker was shown a yellow card and Belcher's kick extended Salem's advantage to 25-13. Few people would have forecast the turn around that occurred in the final quarter of the match as Salem began to lose accuracy in their play and the penalties they started to concede gave Selby belief that they could yet salvage the game. From a penalty in the 63rd minute Selby took a quick tap and the forwards pressurised the visitors' defence with a rolling maul that was so effective that, when the ball was moved wide, replacement Prop Tom Bell was on hand to cross for a try that reduced the deficit to 7 points. 5 minutes later the gap was reduced further when Cruise made Salem pay for another indiscretion by kicking his second penalty of the afternoon. As the match entered its final stages the frantic nature of the game began to take its toll on players with Selby seeing James Blaymire yellow carded after 77 minutes of his return to first team Rugby and Salem similarly reduced just a minute later when their open side Flanker Callum Manchester was also shown yellow. The pivotal moment came as the game entered its final minute. Salem were penalised just 5 metres from their line, Selby's excellent Prop Forward Duncan Hardy elected to take a quick tap and his decision proved spot on as he torpedoed his way through the Salem defence to score the try that not only snatched the victory for his side but secured the bonus point into the bargain.

When the referee blew for full time scarcely a minute later the turn around was complete. In the corresponding fixture last season Selby had been put to the sword by a rampant Salem side, suffering their biggest League defeat by 67 points to nil. To have come from 12 points behind against a good Salem side, Selby showed everybody present just how far they have come and how much the side has developed.

This week they travel to Beverley, who were relegated from North One East at the end of last season, buoyed by a 3 match unbeaten run, a never say die attitude and the confidence that comes from knowing that they can take sides to the very last minute and come out as winners.