Bradford Salem RFC 18 – 29 Selby RUFC

Despite facing a team which had previously remained undefeated at home and who have lost just one of their last 13 League Fixtures, a much changed Selby first team produced the best performance of the season so far to claim a richly deserved Bonus Point victory at notoriously difficult Bradford Salem.

From the kick off Selby were put under immense pressure from the imposing Bradford Forwards who clearly felt they would quickly wear down their Selby opponents and spurned a number of penalty opportunities, choosing to tap or kick for position rather than take kicks at goal. However Selby were determined to match the early onslaught and when they eventually managed to secure possession broke out to score one of the best tries seen for some time as Porter made the initial surge before handing on to the ever present Hardy who made ground before returning the pass to Porter who raced over in the corner to finish the sweeping 80 metre move. A great conversion by Josh Cruise provided Selby with the perfect riposte and a 7 point lead.

With defences remaining solid it was not until the 33rd minute that the score-line was altered when Cruise was successful with his first penalty kick. Selby almost extended their lead within a couple of minutes of the re-start with Porter again to the fore but the try scoring pass was adjudged marginally forward and the chance lost. Not to be spurned, the visitors managed to underline their superiority with another excellent try as Porter, Hardy and Alex Arthur combined to provide Ben Lunt with the score. Cruise’s conversion on the stroke of half time ensured a comfortable 17 nil lead at the break.

The second half began in much the same fashion as Selby’s expansive game repeatedly stretched the home defence and it was not long before good work by the forwards was rewarded by excellent back play, Alex Webster gaining the score following smart handling by Cruise and Porter. After 47 minutes the Salem forwards eventually gained reward for their efforts when Stand-off Barlow struck a long range penalty. Selby’s reply was immediate and devastating as Salem were forced to concede a scrum just 15 metres from their line. A clean heel and slick handling saw Porter again instrumental in creating the space for leading point’s scorer Alex Webster to notch his second of the match. Having played provider, Porter then kicked the conversion from under the posts to extend Selby’s advantage to 29 points to 3.

With Arthur leaving the field on 57 minutes and Prop Tom Bell yellow carded following a team warning for persistent infringements, it was not surprising that Salem were able to take advantage and Captain Simon Davies was driven over the Selby line following a successful catch at a 5 metre line out. With further disruption following Porter’s departure on 71 minutes Selby were forced to continue their heroic defence but were unfortunately caught out after an untidy pass from a defending 5 metre scrum was snatched by the Salem scrum half Ian Woodwiss who crossed wide out. A further try in stoppage time by stand-off Barlow remained unconverted and the final score-line of 29-18 in Selby’s favour was probably a little flattering to the home team who were matched up front for the majority of the game and who were given a lesson in fast, expansive and imaginative Rugby.