SELBY RUFC coach Richard Nicholson has high hopes for the second half of the Yorkshire One campaign.

The Sandhill Laners marked the midway point of the season with a dramatic 29-28 win at Pontefract and their batch of return fixtures opens with a trip to Heath tomorrow.

Injuries have plagued the Swans squad so far this term, leading to some inconsistent form, but Nicholson believes the imminent return of key players augurs well for 2015.

"We have put some results together over the last four or five weeks, other than losing against Old Brodleians, and I've been really pleased with that," said the coach.

"We have been up against it with people out. It has been challenging from a coaching point of view. It's been a juggling act, but we've done pretty well."

Nicholson added: "After Christmas we could have three or four players coming back from injury.

"Dan Porter has been out for two months after a hernia operation, but he is getting back into training.

"Ben Lunt fractured his thumb but he out of pot now and should be back in two or three weeks, while Alex Webster has been out with a shoulder injury.

"They are all key backs, who are very influential for us. Our try-scoring threat has been reduced with them missing and we've had to play a more direct style."

Selby head for Heath in seventh place, aiming to keep pace with the four sides immediately above them, with Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Yarnbury and York all within nine points.

Nicholson said: "It was very pleasing to go to Pontefract and win last weekend and tomorrow will be very similar.

"It will be physically demanding on their heavy pitch, but the lads will have a couple of weeks off league rugby after the game so we can put everything into it.

"We need to keep picking points up and see where we go. We are on the tails of the sides above us and if they slip up we can jump in."

While the first team are at Heath, Sandhill Lane hosts Yorkshire Carnegie Under-18s against Gloucester, kick off 1pm.

Selby Colts forwards Will Dennis and Joe Raddings are expected to feature for Carnegie.

Nicholson said: "Admission is free and it is a great chance to see some potential stars of the future, including two of our own players."

Second-placed Malton are aiming to serve up more of the same as the second half of their Yorkshire One season starts at Hullensians.

The Ryedale side reached the midway point with a 43-0 win over Bridlington, their ninth successive league victory.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said: "It's been a good first half of the season. We are 14 points ahead of the team in third place now.

"We don't really know what to expect going to Hullensians but we have got virtually the same side as last week and it is 'more of the same' as far as we are concerned."