Selby welcomed Blaydon who made the long trip from Newcastle for the first game of the 2024/25 season. The pitch was in excellent condition and conditions were conducive to attractive rugby for a large opening day crowd.

A bright start saw Selby awarded an early penalty for Blaydon holding on in the tackle which was kicked in to the 22 where, after a line out take, a knock on in midfield presented a scrum to the visitors. A huge effort saw Blaydon driven back and a further penalty awarded to Selby. Captain Alex Webster showed his attacking intent by again kicking for the corner rather than taking the points on offer from a kick at goal.. Clean possession saw a massive drive towards the line, with Hooker Jamie Dentith eventually coming up with the ball as the try was scored, Henry Wright added the first of numerous excellent conversions to give his side an early 7 point advantage.

Blaydon’s response was immediate, the forwards drove hard at Selby earning a penalty and Clarkson kicked an easy 3 points for the visitors from in front of the posts. Back row forward Charlie Cicero was then yellow carded for coming in at the side of a maul as Selby again looked stretched. However the forwards dug deep and in the next ten minutes earned a penalty that Wright successfully kicked for a 10-3 lead after 24 minutes.

Just before half-time the Blaydon forwards drove hard at the Selby line on many occasions and a score looked inevitable with blind side flanker Harrison eventually battering over. The conversion from wide out on the left levelled the scores at 10-10 at the break

Again Selby started the second half brightly and with attacking intent. A quick tap penalty created another and the second one was kicked in to the corner. A clean take saw the ball move quickly to the left to winger Adam Infante who jinked his way over in the corner for the first try of a mighty impressive hat trick on debut. Another fantastic conversion by Wright restored the Selby advantage to 7 points at 17-10. Just two minutes later right winger Dan Reid also got his name on the score sheet. On his 50th appearance Archie Bennett beat three or four defenders in front of the main stand before offloading to Reid who showed blistering pace to run in from 40 metres almost unopposed. Wright’s solitary missed conversion meant that Selby were leading 22-10 after 48 minutes.

Selby then scored the try of the game as Jamie Denith charged from half way, Alex Webster was on hand to move the ball into the 22 before the ball zipped across the backs where Infante beat three defenders before diving spectacularly in at the corner. Wright added another difficult conversion as the score moved to 29-10 in the home side’s favour and Selby had their first bonus point of the season

Infante’s incredible debut soon continued as he raced in for his next score from thirty metres, again leaving defenders grasping at thin air as he completed his memorable hat trick by diving in under the posts, presenting Wright with his first straightforward conversion of the afternoon, stretching the home side’s lead to 26 points at 36-10

Blaydon replied with a well deserved try as the home side’s concentration appeared to lapse on seventy minutes, reducing the deficit to 36 points to 15. Normal service was soon resumed as Dan Reid continued a great day for the wingers as he scored an individual try using impressive football skills. From 40 metres out he fly hacked and dribbled the awkward bouncing ball before it sat up nicely on the try line for him to dot down Selby’s final try. Henry Wright completed Selby’s scoring with another fine conversion and a 43-15 lead

. Blaydon continued to battle and were rewarded with a further consolation try on 75 minutes. A final flourish by the visitors saw a determined chase back and tackle by Wright who succeeded in denying Blaydon a fourth try and a bonus point, a sign of determination, belief and will to win that should stand the side in good stead as the season progresses.

A fine team performance saw the forwards providing a superb platform for the backs to work from. The strength and use of the bench saw Duncan Hardy return and a debut for Sam Fuimaono who has joined his good friend Joey Reid from Wellington Axemen in New Zealand.

This Saturday, Selby renew rivalries away at Cleckheaton with first and second teams both travelling for the first of a number of “double headers”.