Selby suffered their fifth heaviest defeat since the start of league rugby union in 1987 when they were hammered 41-6 - and six tries to nil - at Keighley in Yorkshire League division one.

Already weakened by injuries and non-availability, Selby suffered a further setback when flanker Dave Christison had to pull out due to work commitments - Richard Topping coming into the squad for his first appearance this season - while fresh injuries meant they had to use all three substitutes within in the first half-hour of a hard-fought encounter.

Selby suffered a double blow at the off. Keighley's kick-off was retained by flanker Willie Hafu, who made ground before the ball was spread wide for second-row Leigh Sugden to touch down and full-back Jonathan Hargreaves to convert.

In these opening exchanges, Selby number eight Rob Taylor dislocated his shoulder and was replaced by substitute hooker Shane Sellers.

Hafu continued to play havoc, but Selby came back with Toby Pemberton goaling two penalties.

However, further problems arose when second-row Wright Phillips had to leave with a bad nose injury suffered in a loose maul, substitute prop Ian Copperwheat coming on.

Four minutes later Keighley scored again when Hafu broke three Selby tackles to cross in the corner, and worse followed when John Webster had to leave with a twisted knee, with remaining substitute Richard Topping coming on.

Keighley flanker Morgan Bailey then offended and Sellers retaliated and both were sin-binned.

Despite promising breaks by winger Paul Scott and Mathew Smith, the latter which resulted in full-back David Batty being tackled into touch a metre short, Selby were unable to breach the Keighley defence and the hosts made it 17-6 at the break through winger Mathew Cox's try.

The second half opening was even, but by the hour-mark, Keighley began to dominate, with Peter Schofield and Hafu crossing, Hargreaves improving one, and Selby were hit again when hooker Tom Bayston went off concussed.

Although Selby hung on bravely a man down, taking a scrum against the head and making good ground with a fine run by Mike Parsonage, Keighley crossed twice more at the death through Mathew Cox and Leigh Sugden, Cox goaling one.

Updated: 12:51 Monday, November 03, 2003