Bradford Salem RFC 33 v 23 Selby RUFC

Report by Ray Adamson

Having gone behind to a converted try in the opening minute of the game, Selby put on a display full of character and commitment and can count themselves really unlucky to have returned from Bradford with nothing to show for their efforts. Had things gone their way then Selby could have expected to come away with a couple of bonus points even if they had still been defeated.

From the very first kick of the game the Salem three quarters showed how dangerous they threatened to be by running the kick off back at the Selby defence and creating a score for centre Andy Robinson without Selby having laid a hand on the ball at all. Full Back Danny Belcher added the conversion to give his side a dream start and a 7 point advantage. Undeterred by the early set back, Selby took the game to the home side for the next 20 minutes and forced a couple of penalty chances, both of which Josh Cruise was able to convert after 3 minutes and again after 14 minutes to reduce the deficit to a single point. Indeed Selby could have taken the lead after 19 minutes when Fly Half James Fox broke clear of the Salem defence only to be brought back by the referee who then confounded the visiting support when he gave Selby the put in at a scrum. However it was not long before Selby edged in front when a clever chip through the defence by Cruise gave Winger Ashton Dallimore the chance to run onto the ball and sprint in unopposed for an excellent score which Cruise then converted to give his side a 13 points to 7 lead.

The lead was short-lived as Salem took a strike against the head on 26 minutes from a scrum 30 metres from the Selby line and the home backs quickly spread the ball wide to Winger Jake Abram who crossed for the try, Belcher's conversion restoring the home side's 1 point advantage. Within 3 minutes Selby looked to have created another scoring opportunity through Fox and Centre Alex Webster, only for the referee to again rule against the visitors when adjudging the final pass to have gone forward. Salem made the most of their latest let off by extending their lead after 31 minutes courtesy of a third try for their backs when Ryan Smith crossed for an unconverted try which saw his side in front by 19 points to 13.

Although Selby had the chance to close the gap after 35 minutes, Cruise's attempt at goal drifted wide of the uprights, but clever inter-passing down the right side on the stroke of half time saw Centre Ben Lunt feed Skipper Duncan Hardy who showed an impressive turn of pace to cross wide out. An excellent conversion from Cruise saw the visitors go into the break with a deserved lead, albeit by a single point at 20-19.

It was Selby who started the second half the stronger and they too claimed a score in the first minute of the half when Ashton Dallimore appeared to have won the race to a kick into the Salem in-goal area, only for the referee to disallow the score and award the home side a 22 metre drop out. An incident in the 43rd minute of the game, involving the influential Salem Number 8 Christian Baines, was probably crucial in determining the outcome of the match. A dangerously high tackle on Selby's most creative player Alex Webster saw him unable to take any further part in the match whilst the only penalty given to the offending player was a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin. Although Cruise kicked a further penalty after 46 minutes to extend the Selby lead to 23-19 Baines soon made his mark after returning to the field, barging his way over for Salem's bonus point try on 59 minutes to put his side back in front even though there appeared to have been an earlier knock on, Fly Half Matt Booth's conversion establishing a three point advantage at 26-23.

The game clinching score came with barely 10 minutes remaining when Selby were penalised for a high tackle and a quickly taken tap penalty created the space for Robinson to cross for his second try of the afternoon and Booth's second conversion opened the gap to 10 points. A frantic final ten minutes saw Selby reduced to 13 men courtesy of 2 yellow cards and Salem reduced to 14 when Robinson was also sent to the sin bin. As Selby laid siege to the Salem line it took a tremendous defensive effort by the home side to keep the line intact and when the ball was eventually spun to Cruise to attempt a drop goal which would have earned a losing bonus point, the gods again smiled on the home side as the ball rebounded off both the cross bar and upright before falling kindly to the Salem defence who were then able to hoof the ball clear to claim the spoils.

With all teams below them suffering similar results, Selby retained their 11th position in the League, but with much improved performances in their last 2 games they will approach this week's Yorkshire Shield Quarter Final fixture at Wath upon Dearne with relish and will hope to go into their next League fixture at home to Beverley the week after with renewed confidence.