Selby welcomed Sandal for a pre-season fixture that doubled up as a Yorkshire Cup tie. The importance of the game was reflected in a large crowd, with cars stretching a long way onto the cricket pitch.

Selby’s back line had a familiar look. With Henry Wright having moved away for work, Ben Poskitt stepped up at stand-off. The pack was a different matter: with players returning from injury and enforced layoffs, the names were well known but the combinations untested.

Sandal struck within two minutes as their well-drilled forwards drove over, only for the score to be chalked off for offside. Back they came, however, and shortly afterwards touched down from an overthrown lineout for a converted try. A second converted score from a dominant scrum by the posts, followed by a penalty, saw the visitors lead by 17 points after just 17 minutes.

Selby were up against it, and things looked even worse as Fin Wotton and Charlie Bramley both went off for head injury assessments. Liam Hogan came on earlier than expected, and a couple of trademark runs seemed to galvanise the home side as they finally enjoyed some possession. Sandal crossed the line twice more but were held up by a dogged Selby defence.

Archie Bennett then made a sniping run from halfway to the 22. The ball was recycled and spread centre-field, where James Bramley was stopped by a no-arms tackle. A quick tap-and-go caught Sandal napping, and following strong drives from Campbell and Hogan, prop forward Adam Crooks powered over from two metres out. The conversion missed, but the hosts were back in the game and starting to look more like themselves.

Noah Athraby made two piercing runs, his sharp footwork leaving defenders grasping at thin air as Selby went on the offensive. Another no-arms tackle, this time on replacement full-back Gable, saw Selby deep into Sandal’s 22. From a free kick after a scrum infringement, more quick thinking set up captain Alex Webster to break through. Held up just short, second-row returnee Sean Campbell was on hand to crash over to the right of the posts. Poskitt converted, making it 17-12 to Sandal — game on.

Sandal hit back early in the second half with an unconverted try to stretch the lead. With minor injuries affecting both sides, the game became broken up with several interchanges. Cameos from Adam Leetham, Jamie Dentith and new second-team skipper Harry Clarke gave Selby renewed energy up front and extra zip at scrum-half. Two of the youngest Swans then combined: Athraby launched a sweeping, swerving run from halfway, and although held up short, the ball was recycled for Alex Dolat to cap a fine performance with a try near the posts. Poskitt converted to bring the score to 19-22.

Sandal responded immediately, capitalising on a soft penalty in front of the posts to extend their lead. As time ran out, the visitors attacked again. With most players stopping for what appeared to be a forward pass, play was allowed to continue before Athraby was harshly adjudged to have deliberately knocked on and was shown a yellow card. The final whistle followed soon after.

It was a positive start after a difficult first 20 minutes against a side from the league above. A large squad gained valuable game time, with strong support from players across the club. Selby now look ahead to next Saturday 6th September, when three sides are set to face Malton in the first league fixture of the season.