Selby’s set piece domination of the first half was almost complete and the first score came within a minute as, after good pressure at the kick off from Harrison Green, an early penalty was kicked into the corner where the Swans pack drove the lineout over for Millar McCoy to claim the try. With the Selby pack demolishing the Bradford eight at every scrum regardless of head and feed, a plentiful supply of ball was being supplied to the backs but, as is Selby’s wont, they were then guilty of wasting most of it with errors and infringements and an inability to play through the phases to apply any sort of consistent pressure on the Bradford defence. However, weight of possession had to tell and after a surprisingly long ‘concussion protocol alert’ wait for Selby’s physio (see previous match reports against Salem!) the first high tackle from Bradford duly arrived and Josh Cruise made it 10-0 from the resultant penalty after 20 minutes; and then five minutes later Hogan strolled over from the back of a five yard scrum to make it 17-0. And that’s how it stayed up to half-time as Selby missed a variety of opportunities to put themselves out of sight, including but not limited to a disallowed try for young Joe Ramsay for a not backward enough pass, and a near decapitation for Selby winger Matt Leetham after a fine break down the wing.

So a seemingly comfortable half-time lead for Selby – but we’ve been here before haven’t we! So when Selby botched the kick off receipt and Salem took advantage to score a converted try straight from the restart for 17-7, the match was right back in the mix and Selby’s lead suddenly looked very vulnerable. More woe for Selby quickly followed as the talismanic Hogan had to depart the field injured, and then disaster as the Swans somehow contrived to convert their own attacking position into a Salem try as a very loose pass was intercepted on half-way for them to race in under the sticks and 17-14. With Selby’s confidence looking shot and the team looking decidedly second best, finally a bit of relief as they got near enough to the Salem line for the scrum to go to work again, and allow Sam Broughton to use his bulk and gravity to barrel his way over to stretch the lead to 22-14.

Chances to stretch the lead and settle supporters’ nerves further came and went, particularly following a clever chip over the top from scrum half Danny Wilkinson that only had to be picked up and dotted down – but was instead fumbled. Fortunately for Selby, Bradford’s early second half attacking intent dissipated in the breeze as the match settled into a period of mid-field mediocrity as both teams struggled to find any consistency or cohesion. However, with only minutes remaining the Bradfordians roused themselves again and, after coming close to scoring with a defence shredding length of the field effort, they duly repeated the trick a minute later from half way as the Swans’ defence parted like the Red Sea, allowing a score under the sticks for 22-21. And there was still time for Selby to try to completely muck it up (or something similar) by kicking the restart out on the full to give Salem good field position for a last chance to snatch it – but fortunately Father Time, assisted by a crucial turnover from Quentin McGrory-Hill near the Selby line, finally saw them off.

Selby’s roadshow now continues away to Dinnington on Saturday, where the pre-match vittles for visiting supporters is always excellent – so, if visiting, don’t have a big lunch first!

Photo: Richard Besley