Selby RUFC will be entering uncharted waters this season when they compete in the Tetley Bitter Cup for the first time in its history.

It's a major achievement for the club who were nominated to take part in rugby union's equivalent of the FA Cup by the Yorkshire County Union after two consecutive quarter-final appearances in the Yorkshire Cup when they narrowly lost to Doncaster both times.

Selby have been drawn in the preliminary round against strong North One outfit Chester who will visit Sandhill Lane next Saturday.

Richard Besley, who has relinquished his post as secretary to become first team manager, said: "It's a terrific opportunity and reward for Selby. Yes, there is tough opposition in the early rounds but we have the luck of home advantage and all the best cup competitions have wonderful giant-killing stories."

Should Selby beat Chester then they will pay either West Park St Helens or Penrith in the second round, at home. The following week they will face Pocklington in what promises to be a cracking derby battle at Sandhill Lane in the new Yorkshire One division.

It's a league of 12 sides which contains the Yorkshire-based teams from last year's North East Two and the lower half of North East One.

Besley said: "Even though we enjoyed travelling to rivals in Durham and Northumbria, it was a big financial burden on some clubs. It's certainly interesting as there will only be two divisions now between us and the National Leagues."

Taking over from Besley as secretary will be Garry Adamson, a long-serving player, who has successfully managed the 2nd XV for the last few seasons.

Selby will be skippered by Tom Bayston, who takes over from Sam Longthorp.

Selby

Yorkshire One fixtures

September: 2 Old Brods (h), 9 Chester (h) Tetley Bitter Cup prelim rd, 16 Ripon (a), 23 Keighley (h), 30 Pocklington (h)

October: 14 Hull (a), 21 Yarnbury (h), 28 Huddersfield YMCA (a)

November: 11 Cleckheaton (h), 18 Wheatley Hills (a), 25 Pontefract (h)

December: 9 North Ribblesdale (a), 16 Wheatley Hills (h)

January: 6 Cleckheaton (a), 13 Huddersfield YMCA (h), 20 Yarnbury (a), 27 Hull (h)

February: 10 Pocklington (a), 24 Keighley (a)

March: Ripon (h), 17 Old Brods (a), 31 North Ribblesdale (h)

April: 14 Pontefract (a)