Good afternoon and welcome to Sandhill Lane for our re-arranged fixture against Hullensians. I’m sure you are all aware that the previous game, the opening fixture of the season, had to be abandoned at half time due to an injury to the day’s referee and that Selby were holding a 12 points to 3 lead at the time. I hope that we are able to get the game to a conclusion and that Selby are able to get themselves into a similar, match-winning position.

A look at the current League table shows that there is not much difference in position between ourselves and Hullensians, the one significant difference being that we have managed to pick up one victory from our 4 completed fixtures whilst Hullensians arrive today still looking to record their first. I am sure that that will give Hullensians all the incentive that they need and that Selby will be in for another testing afternoon today.

Last weekend saw us totally dominate the Scrum against current League leaders Crossleyans, however their excellent defence and incisive counter attacking showed why they are faring so well since their promotion from Yorkshire 2 last season. Amongst the disappointments there were a number of big positives for the Selby side, not least of which was the spirit shown to compete throughout 80 minutes and the fitness which allowed us to score three excellent tries in the final 10 minutes. Hullensians had a difficult away trip all the way over at Rishworthians and went down to an unusually heavy defeat by 46 -14, giving us another reason to regard them as a very dangerous opponent this afternoon.

It is really good to see that we have been able to turn out 4 sides for the last 3 weeks and it was especially gratifying to hear the Wath second team manager remark that the “measure of a really good Club is one that is able to turn out 4 sides regularly”. My congratulations and thanks go to Captains, Managers and players involved in all of our lower sides. I understand that all four teams were able to turn out with a healthy number of subs last weekend, which makes the possibility of actually turning out a fifth team again a realistic one. Having received a text midweek from fourth team Skipper Chris Young about my availability I know that it can’t be too far away!!

We are of course greatly indebted to all those companies and individuals who kindly sponsor our first XV fixtures and I hope that today's Sponsors thoroughly enjoy their afternoon in the Swan's Nest and the hospitality that we are proud to be able to provide.

Prior to the Middlesbrough game on Saturday 20th October I intend to host a pre match lunch for our Vice Presidents and Honorary Life members and would like to take this opportunity to invite them all again to have a word with me to book their places as the popularity of the event increases year on year. Following on from that we intend to hold a couple of pre match Members’ Lunches before Christmas to gauge their popularity. I am sure that details about them and how to book a place on a table will appear in the match day programme and on the Club’s Pitchero website very soon.

Finally a gentle reminder to everybody taking part in or spectating this afternoon's game to please show respect to the match officials, players from both sides and other spectators. There is nothing better than a hard fought game of Rugby played out in front of a knowledgeable and friendly crowd and we all have to play our part in ensuring that everybody here this afternoon can go home afterwards having enjoyed some great entertainment, whether a player, flag man, referee, water boy, allickadoo or a member of the paying public. We have a duty to all visitors to Sandhill to ensure that their afternoon is not ruined by the actions of one or two individuals and that everybody adheres to the RFU sugested Code of Conduct, so I would ask that everybody makes sure that they behave in a manner befitting our great game.