The first Saturday in September brought the traditional start to the rugby season, and this year was no different as Selby’s 1st and 2nd XV made their way to The Gannock, home of Malton & Norton RUFC.

For the 1st XV, there were league debuts for Alex Dolat and Will Carr, alongside two former captains, Charlie Cicero and Ash Parkinson, in an unfamiliar forward line-up. Selby took to the field in their away black kit, proudly sponsored by Pearwood Financial Planning (front), P D Property Reports and Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors (back), with long-time supporters Platform Supermarket and Waingap Contracts on the sleeves, Scotton Park on the shorts.

The visitors started brightly as Malton knocked on from the opening phase. Selby won a penalty at the scrum, but turned down the chance for three points, only for their attacking move to end with a knock-on. After ten minutes, the hosts took the lead when a quickly taken penalty allowed centre Stephenson to cross for a converted try.

Play was evenly contested around halfway until a deft kick by Malton’s second row rolled into Selby’s 22. Archie Bennett gathered and, with little room to manoeuvre, burst down the touchline before offloading to Charlie Bramley. The move continued through Joe Scholefield, ending deep in Malton’s 22 – a glimpse of the young Swans’ creativity and eye for space.

Handling errors from both sides followed, before Selby were outnumbered in defence and Malton scored in the left corner on 25 minutes. A double blow then struck as captain Alex Webster, on his 200th appearance, and prop Jamie Dentith were forced off injured, replaced by Adam Crookes and Dan Reid. Missed tackles were then punished as Malton ran in two further tries, opening up a 22–0 lead after 33 minutes.
Selby responded with a moment of quality just before half-time. With two minutes to go, Dan Reid received the ball out wide. Using Bennett as a decoy, he dummied, accelerated through a gap on the 22, and touched down in the corner to give Selby something to build on.

Antun Wilson replaced Parkinson at half-time and immediately made his presence felt with a turnover in the tackle. Malton extended their lead with an unconverted try on 48 minutes and looked certain to add another, only for Wilson to track back superbly and bundle the winger into touch.

The respite was short-lived, however, as Malton crossed again and converted to take the score to 34–5 with twenty minutes to play. Selby had the final say when stand-off Ben Poskitt sparked a flowing move involving Charlie and James Bramley, before finishing it himself in the far-left corner. Final score: Malton & Norton 34 – 10 Selby.

There is plenty to work on, but positives too – the young second rows Dolat and Carr settled well in the second half, while the backs showed attacking intent throughout. Next up, Selby welcome Moortown to Sandhill Lane next Saturday (KO 3pm).
On the adjacent pitch, new 2nd XV skipper Harry Clarke led his side to a fine start, beating Malton & Norton 2nds 45–31. They travel to Moortown next week.

Meanwhile, on Friday night under the lights, Selby Women began their season in style. With new coach Jack Coates at the helm, they defeated East Yorkshire Combined 19–12. The Women are proudly backed this year by new kit sponsors Pearwood Financial, CS Auto Electrics of Castleford, Low Farm Energy, Adina Developments, Sam Longthorp, Phil Redfearn, Jack Forrest, Peter Pemberton. They begin their league campaign at York RI on Sunday 21st September.