LOCAL foes Selby Warriors ARLC and Sherburn Bears will clash in the league for the first time in over 12 seasons on Saturday - and interest in the area is said to be sky high.

The pair have met in the reformed Selby Cup in recent years but have not faced each other in a league game since the Warriors switched from the Yorkshire League to the Pennine League over a decade ago.

Sherburn followed suit four years ago and they now meet in division four, with Sherburn lying second with only one defeat while Selby sit in mid-table, albeit boosted by a 50-10 Supplementary Cup hammering of division six outfit Allerton Bywater ‘A ‘ last week.

The game is at Selby’s Foxhill Lane ground on Saturday (2pm).

Bears spokesman Matt Orford said: “With both teams packed full of exciting youngsters this encounter is sure to be a great advert for attacking rugby league as the two sides both like to play fast open rugby.

“Interest is running high in Selby and in Sherburn.”

The Warriors, having enjoyed several promotions and silverware successes, have since slipped back down to division four, while the Bears have gradually worked their way out of the lower tiers.

Orford added: “The Warriors find themselves in a period of rebuilding and have ushered in a new era with a number of flourishing junior players being promoted to the open-age side.

“The Bears have continued to recruit a number of experienced players while introducing a large number of their own local youngsters, and this policy has gradually seen them transform themselves from lower league strugglers into a genuinely competent side.

“All this sets us up for a fascinating return to league action between two of the district’s three sides.”