SELBY Londesborough Cricket Club are locked in a battle to avoid relegation on the club’s 150th anniversary.

The club, which is one of the oldest in the country, finally won its first league game of the season last week but is still 62 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the York and District Senior League first division.

The MCC have agreed to visit Sandhill Lane next month for a special anniversary match and former president Peter Rickaby is organising a reunion lunch for the club’s former players and associates.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Folkton & Flixton, Rickaby said: “The club is thriving even though the cricket is going through a bit of a lull.

“In some respects, it is a bit of a struggle and some youngsters feel cricket is too time consuming,” he reflected. “But, hopefully, our club will overcome that - which will enable cricket to carry on in Selby for another 150 years!”

Formed in 1867, Selby originally played on a bowling green close to the town’s famous Norman Abbey and moved to their current home, off Leeds Road, in 1936.

Currently operating three senior teams, the club scaled new heights six years ago by winning promotion to the YDSL premier division. However, they were relegated after just two seasons.

“We achieved our ‘pinnacle’ at that point and the ambition now is to reclaim that status,” said Rickaby.

“Our anniversary event will be an opportunity to spend a fine afternoon watching excellent cricket, reminiscing about the runs we have scored, but not mentioning the catches we have dropped!” he said.

Although Selby do not claim to have produced many County players, they have played host to benefit games in the past featuring Yorkshire legends including Geoffrey Boycott, John Hampshire, David Bairstow, and Richard Lumb, and Derbyshire’s Kim Barnett.

“A good number of our players have gone onto higher league cricket and we have also encouraged a lot of junior cricket and schools cricket,” Rickaby added.

Anyone wishing to attend the reunion should contact Rickaby on 01757 703819 for more details.

The game against the MCC takes place at 2pm on Thursday July 13 and admission is free for spectators.

Stamford Bridge CC, meanwhile, could potentially go second in Yorkshire Premier League North tomorrow if they beat champions Harrogate. Five wins in the last six games have propelled the village side into the top four.

York are looking to maintain their three point lead at the top of the table with victory at Sheriff Hutton Bridge. Clifton Alliance can slip into the relegation zone if they are beaten by next-to-bottom visitors Hull.

Acomb, who are ninth, are also looking nervously over their shoulders but will seek to relieve the pressure with a 10 point win at home to Easingwold who still have only two points on the board.

In YDSL Premier Division, leaders Sessay are 14 points clear of second placed Castleford ahead of their game against Beverley Town.