The Swans are back on home turf this afternoon as they welcome Pontefract to Sandhill Lane in what promises to be a highly significant fixture in the Regional 2 North East play-off race.

Selby currently sit 5th in the table with 57 points, with Moortown just three points behind them in 6th — meaning every result from here counts. The top four earn play-off spots, so with Old Brodleians (4th, 58 pts) only a point ahead, the Swans are well within striking distance. This is very much a must-win afternoon if the play-off push is to remain credible.

The men from Pontefract arrive in 10th place with 41 points, sitting below Selby by 16 points Selbyrufc, making this on paper a very winnable home fixture. However, anyone who has watched rugby long enough knows that local Yorkshire derbies rarely follow form, and Pontefract will arrive with nothing to lose and plenty to prove.

Selby head into this one in confident mood. Last time out saw a commanding 61–14 victory away at Doncaster Phoenix, with tries from J Reid, T Gabel, A Dolat, N Athraby, H Tunningley (who bagged a hat-trick), A Wilson and O Parsonage. That kind of attacking intent and clinical finishing is exactly what is needed as the season enters its final stretch.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season gave Selby plenty of encouragement — the Swans ran out 19–10 winners away at Pontefract back in November, so Selby know they have the measure of today's visitors.

Recent home form has been a real strength, with the club's website noting a "strong home performance keeping the play-off push on track" back in February StadiumDB, and the Swans will be looking to make Sandhill Lane a fortress again today.

With fixtures against Bradford Salem and Malton and Norton still to come, the squad knows the season is absolutely alive — but dropping points this afternoon against a side they should beat would be a costly blow. The crowd's backing could make all the difference.

Come on you Swans!