Murphy was the defender.

You seriously arguing Murphy was "waiting for the ball"? Or "set to catch the kick"? With respect, you cannot be serious.

Well what the hell else was he doing? Filling in his tax returns?

Murphy was waiting to catch the ball, Langley strayed within 10m
Offside.

Yes, he jumped up with Kear to catch the ball

He was within ten metres of a competition for the ball having been offside at the kick. I argue they clearly were.

Had you gone for a pint when that happened, because both players hands were very close to the ball.
Or had you had a few too many.???

so in your eyes Murphy who had jumped up for the ball with the Bradford player wasn't either :
A) a defender or B) trying to gather the kick ??

Please explain what role then Murphy played in this decision to 'not apply the rules' ?

I wouldn't bother. He is a lawyer. He is good at arguing, even if his point is hopelessly flawed and frankly baffling.

Of course he wasn't waiting, no player was waiting, because the ball was kicked into a space. Whatever you make of it, nobody can seriously argue that any defender was "waiting".

He was indeed both. But you, like others, seem unable to understand the simple wording of the rule. Which doesn't mention "trying to gather".

Ok please point me to where in the law it mentions a "competition for the ball" and I will agree. Clue: it doesn't.

"Interfering with Catcher 2. Any off side player who remains within ten metres of an opponent who is set to catch a kick up field by an opposing player shall be deemed to be interfering with or attempting to interfere with the catcher and shall be penalised unless the non-offending team gains an immediate advantage."

Seems clear enough to me. Unless of course Murphy wasn't trying to catch the ball but was just jumping up to look over the top of the Bradford players to see whether the Bradford fans had all gone home since they'd been so quiet.