Selby kicked off their new season’s campaign under new management by overcoming first half rustiness to eventually kick into gear to run out comfortable winners over a resolute Hullensians team at Sandhill Lane - to earn just reward for all their hard pre-season efforts on the training pitch.

The Swans and Hullensians have both struggled against relegation over recent seasons and after thirty minutes of this match it was easy to see why. Playing with the breeze, Selby barely managed to string together more than a couple of phases of play before losing possession, which meant any meaningful forward progress was scuppered before it knew it, and Hullensians didn’t add much to the fun with the extent of their ambition being to boot the ball up in the air to await Selby’s inevitable mistakes – which to be fair to them, kept working! Finally a piece of competency lit up the gloom, but unfortunately not in Selby’s favour as Hullensians winger, Harrison Holmes, did all his own work to beat some flimsy tackling with a fine solo try in the corner for a 0-5 lead after 15 minutes.

With the half drawing to a close, and the malaise continuing, new head coach Jay Robinson had seen enough and subbed himself on to sort it out – which mercifully for Selby supporter sanity he managed in double quick time. Aided and abetted by fellow substitutes Rob Bourke and Charlie Cicero, Selby finally started to go forward with a bit of menace, and after Bourke had bruised his way up to the Hull line, Robinson expertly put Cicero, running a fabulous scything line, in under the sticks for 7-5. More determined running from Bourke and fellow henchman Liam Hogan started to expose Hull’s limitations in defence and following some fine handling and recycling Jay Robinson was on hand to finish it off with another try and a 14-5 half time lead.

Shortly after half time the Swans were in again, to seemingly put the match to bed, as a bullocking run from Sam Broughton from the base of the scrum was, again, expertly carried on by Jay Robinson who fed the supporting Danny Wilkinson to cross for another excellent try and 21-5 lead. Unfortunately the match then rather headed into the doldrums and play stagnated in midfield with neither team able to string together any period of consistency as defences overcame attacking flair. Hullensians Josh Abbott did cross again in the corner late on for a well worked consolation try, but Selby’s efforts in securing the bonus point try looked unlikely, and remained unrealised, with the final score being 21-5.

So, a stuttering start for Selby, but a win’s a win and being able to grab it while not being at your best is a skill in itself – and there was potential enough on show to raise hopes that this season will not be the usual struggle at the foot of the table. Next Saturday sees the Swans away at promotion favourites Heath which will be a tough test of Selby’s progress.