Following consecutive away fixtures and two blank weekends due to the Six Nations, first-team rugby finally returned to Sandhill Lane for the first time in five weeks. Visitors Wetherby RUFC were making their first league visit, having climbed the rugby pyramid with a similar philosophy to Selby — built on strong mini and junior development.

Selby made a blistering start. Inside centre Ed Wake powered over the 22 in midfield, with Noah Athraby going close in the left corner. Retaining possession, the forwards worked patiently to within yards of the line before Jamie Dentith crashed over in the opposite corner. Charlie Bramley converted superbly from out wide — the first of several excellent kicks from the touchline.

Bramley soon added a penalty after Wetherby failed to release in the tackle. There was concern at the restart when Harrison Green was taken out in the air, though he recovered and play continued without a card.

Bob Robinson broke strongly through the middle, his partnership with Wake looking sharp, but a knock-on halted the move. Selby soon struck again. James Hunt secured clean lineout ball which was moved swiftly left. Joe Ramsay weaved his way over from 15 metres, finishing with a spectacular dive near the cricket pavilion corner. Converted, Selby led 17–0 after 20 minutes.

Jay Robinson introduced his trademark “Swan Bomb” — three forwards sent on together to maintain intensity — but this time Wetherby responded. The visitors’ pack gained momentum and reduced the deficit with a converted try.

The physio was kept busy. Max Wotton returned to action sporting a head bandage, while brother Fin left the field. Athraby was shown yellow for a no-arms tackle and Wetherby capitalised, driving over in the corner to narrow the gap to five points.

Ramsay then ignited the crowd with a dazzling break from halfway, his kick-and-chase cynically halted by the Wetherby full-back, who joined Athraby in the sin bin. From the resulting lineout, Selby executed a well-rehearsed move, with Max Wotton peeling round the front to score. Bramley converted to give Selby a 24–12 half-time lead.

Wetherby returned with renewed purpose. Crunching tackles from Tom Gable and Ramsay lifted the Swans, but discipline proved costly. Fin Wotton became the third Selby player shown yellow, and the referee marched players back 10 metres on several occasions for dissent. Wetherby seized the initiative with two converted tries to edge into a two-point lead.

The Swans’ Nest was in full voice, packed with long-time supporters and former mini and junior players. Two successive penalties restored Selby’s momentum. With the lineout, expertly marshalled by Hunt, continuing to function smoothly, Dentith was credited with a crucial touchdown to regain the lead.

The game continued to ebb and flow. Wetherby struck again with a long-range effort to lead 31–29 with 20 minutes remaining.

Selby responded with sustained pressure near the try line. Eventually Hola Vea took a quick tap penalty and powered over from close range. Converted, Selby were back in front at 36–31.

Both sides created chances as fatigue set in, but defences held firm. With five minutes remaining, a long-range central penalty sailed through the posts to stretch Selby’s lead to eight points and effectively seal the contest. Bramley’s sixth successful kick of the afternoon earned him a well-deserved man-of-the-match award — fittingly while operating in his mini and junior position of scrum-half.

Next week Selby travel to bottom-of-the-table Doncaster Phoenix, seeking to improve on a record of just one away win so far this season.

Elsewhere, the seconds secured an impressive 38–12 victory away at Driffield RUFC thirds to retain top spot in their league — particularly notable given the number of players stepping up to the first team.

The thirds endured a tougher afternoon at Sandhill Lane, falling 74–20 to Ripon RUFC seconds, who sit second in the Central North Merit Table.