Selby avenged their early season defeat at Keighley by returning the favour with a scrappy but much-needed victory at Sandhill Lane on Saturday – and in gaining the full five-point bonus win have further strengthened their mid-table position in what is a very competitive league.

Despite playing with the advantage of a strong following wind in the first half Selby made heavy weather of it. An early Josh Cruise penalty opened the Swans account but their disposition to undo their efforts with unforced errors and penalties continued to dog them throughout the first half as ball and territory were continually handed back to Keighley at seemingly ever opportunity. A good steal from Millar McCoy though gave a bit of possession, and a beautifully timed floated pass out from centre Jay Robinson gave right winger Matty Leetham a run in down the touchline for 10-0 after fifteen minutes.

With Selby’s discipline now a shambles, a glut of penalties (and a yellow card to McCoy) gave Keighley a ton of possession and the Swans were fortunate to only concede a solitary penalty kick score against them. And straight from the restart they got lucky again as Keighley mucked up their own possession to allow the backs to free left winger James Robinson to finish off well for 17-3. Selby continued to struggle to create anything of their own until right on half-time a great chance to extend their lead came and went as Keighley successfully defended a series of five-yard scrums - leaving Selby supporters wondering if they had built enough of a lead to see out the expected second-half, wind powered, Keighley fightback.

A powerful break from centre Hogan at the restart though earned another penalty from Cruise to extend the lead and calm nerves, before some abysmal tackling then allowed Keighley in for a converted try to close the gap to a more worrying 20-10. Mercifully, Selby then started to play some proper rugby and with their discipline and error count much improved, and with more powerful running from Hogan, they started to get some decent possession and territory. A kick to the corner saw the forwards power over from the line out, with Sam Broughton claiming the touch down for 25-10 on the hour. Keighley were looking short on attacking ideas but more needless indiscipline from Selby gave Keighley free yardage up-field and they used it well to kick into the corner and cross again to again close the scores to 25-17 with 15 minutes to go.

Selby, however, spared their supporters any further anguish as they took control of the remainder of the game with some strong ball carrying into the wind - with Broughton and replacement prop Luke Mander particularly prominent. And then to make Selby’s day complete, after more powerful carrying from Broughton, the forward set up camp on the Keighley line and replacement scrum half Danny Wilkinson sniped over at the death for 32-17, and the four-try, extra bonus point.

Selby are now away at local rivals Goole on Saturday, kick off 14:15hrs.