Gardner answers Salem's dilemma (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Sam Gardner answers Bradford Salem's dilemma

5:30pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport By Bill Marshall, T&A Sports Reporter

Bradford Salem have a scrum-half crisis ahead of their trip to Hullensians on Saturday in SSE Yorkshire Division Two.

None of their four first-choice No 9s are in the mix for the Heaton club.

Dave Howcroft has a family commitment, Ian Woodwiss a shoulder injury, Ollie Shaw is at university and Terry Franklin is also unavailable.

“One option is to give one of the rugby league lads a game at scrum half, such as Andy Robinson, but what we’ll probably do is try Sam Gardner there – providing he passes a fitness test on a hamstring injury,” said Salem’s first-team manager Neil Klenk. “We will also have Andy Luxton on the bench as cover.”

At least Salem have former skipper Simon Davies back at prop. The former Bradford Grammar School pupil has been suffering from back spasms, and Rob Bourne continues in the back row.

Baildon, who are second in SSE Yorkshire Division Three, have five players out injured and another five facing late fitness tests at Leeds Medics & Dentists.

Among those on the injured or unavailable list are Phil Wilson, Danny Pollard, Dale Tabiner, Jake Duxbury and Andy Beaumont.

Wibsey, who have climbed to seventh in SSE Yorkshire Division Five by virtue of their walkover against Adwick le Street last weekend, are at Garforth, who are one place and two points better off than the Bradford club.

Bradford Salem (at Hullensians) (probable side): D Belcher; D Thomas, T Williams, S Savage, C Walker; A Robinson, S Gardner; D Luxton, J Bradbury, S Davies, J Morrell, S Leach, J Cunliffe, D Pearson, R Bourne. Replacements: J Ashworth, A Luxton, A N Other.