Good afternoon and welcome to Sandhill Lane for our second home game of the season. We are hopeful that we have a more successful afternoon than on our previous home fixture which saw the game abandoned at half time because of an injury to the referee with Selby holding a 12 points to 3 lead over Hullensians. Today we welcome Bradford Salem who have a 50% record so far having had a convincing win at Keighley in the season’s opener by 52 points to 22 and then suffering the narrowest of defeats (9-10) at home to Midllesbrough. Having held the lead against Hullensians, Selby were well placed to record a victory in their season opener, but the harsh reality of life in Yorkshire 1 hit home last Saturday with a 32-5 defeat at Heath whose Forwards proved an almost unstoppable force in typically difficult conditions at Halifax. However, there were a number of positives to be gained from our performance in terms of team spirit, a willingness to really get stuck in and periods of positive attacking intent.

It was really good to see that we were able to turn out 3 sides on just the second Saturday of the season and, with most players having now completed their Cricket commitments, I look forward to the 4ths getting a run out sooner rather than later. Rumour has it that Crusey is hoping to get the fifth team together for a few occasional fixtures and that yours truly has also promised to make an appearance should this actually happen. With my 60th Birthday rapidly approaching and my arthritic knees severely affecting my mobility, I trust that any opposition we have to face are of a similar composition.

Last Sunday was the season opener for our Mini and Junior sides and it was really positive for the Club that we had fixtures for both boys and girls at Under 18s. I know that a tremendous amount of work goes in to providing playing opportunities for kids from Under 6s right through to Under 18s and I would like to place on record my personal thanks to all our volunteers who make this such a vibrant, welcoming and inclusive Club.

We are of course greatly indebted to all those companies and individuals who kindly sponsor our first XV fixtures and I hope that today's Sponsors thoroughly enjoy their afternoon in the Swan's Nest and the hospitality that we are proud to be able to provide.

Finally a gentle reminder to everybody taking part in or spectating this afternoon's game to please show respect to the match officials, players from both sides and other spectators. There is nothing better than a hard fought game of Rugby played out in front of a knowledgeable and friendly crowd and we all have to play our part in ensuring that everybody here this afternoon can go home afterwards having enjoyed some great entertainment, whether a player, flag man, referee, water boy, allickadoo or a member of the paying public. We have a duty to all visitors to Sandhill to ensure that their afternoon is not ruined by the actions of one or two individuals and that everybody adheres to the RFU suggested Code of Conduct, so I would ask that everybody makes sure that they behave in a manner befitting our great game.