RUGBY in Selby has received a massive boost with the town's league and union sides set to work together next season.

The decision of Selby Warriors ARLFC and Selby RUFC to join forces to play out of Sandhill Lane is a historic move - with a long-running 'Cold War' between the two codes of the sport.

But as the relations begin to warm, Selby's two teams are set to strengthen their relations from the start of next season.

In a joint-statement, the clubs confirmed the move: "The management committees of both Selby's rugby codes are pleased to confirm that they will be using Sandhill Lane as their home bases for the season 2002/03.

"After a meeting between parties from both codes all involved realise that both clubs will benefit and thrive from this arrangement.

"Over the past 100 years both rugby league and rugby union have viewed each other with suspicion, however, modern thinking realised that there is much to learn from each other."

The Warriors, who were forced to consider their future last season after struggling with numbers, have been playing and training at Barlby High School since forming, but had looked at a possible move to Sandhill Lane.

After an initial approach, the management committee of Selby's rugby codes have been in discussions for the past three months about the potential of the move going ahead.

And the finer details were finally hammered out on recently between the Warriors' Paul Paterson and Selby RU's Tony Townend.

However, while both clubs are looking forward to the new deal, they have been quick to underline the fact they will continue to run as separate entities.

Paterson, the founder member of the Warriors, told the Evening Press: "We've been in talks for the past three months about moving to Sandhill Lane, but now everything has been agreed.

"We will still have our own identity. We will keep that.

"Basically we will just be tenants, but we will be working together with certain things.

"We will be training together, helping each other out with the tactics of both codes and there will be some sharing of players.

"If we haven't got a game we will play for them, while if some of their fourths and fifths are without games they could play for us."

RU spokesman Richard Besley added: "The club are keen to make it clear this is not a takeover.

"Selby Warriors will be very much their own club, but using Sandhill Lane as their home venue. Hopefully, though, we will be able to work together.

"I'd like to think the fixtures for both clubs we be worked out so their wouldn't be a clash of interests."

Selby RU run five senior teams from Sandhill Lane, with the first team in Yorkshire One, while the Warriors have just the one team, which plays in the Yorkshire League division three.

With archery and cricket already played at the ground, Sandhill Lane is quickly growing into an important multi-sports venue for the Selby district.

Updated: 12:32 Friday, June 21, 2002