Leeds Medics & Dentists 14, Bradford Salem 43

Kiwi No 8 Kris Falwasser fittingly scored a brace of tries in his final appearance as Bradford Salem secured their first bonus-point win of the season in SSE Yorkshire Division Two over newly-promoted Leeds Medics & Dentists at Weetwood Playing Fields.

However, despite of the scoreline, it wasn't plain sailing for Salem and there were some definite signs that the plucky students could cause a few upsets as the season progresses.

In excellent playing conditions, Salem started the game in positive mood and took an early 5-0 lead when, after a sustained period of pressure, winger Carl Walker was on hand to score in the right corner.

The visitors extended their lead to ten when Falwasser drove over the line from a rolling maul and, at that stage, it looked like Salem might run away with the game.

Unfortunately, however, the Heaton side got carried away and some sloppy play allowed Medics to launch a counter-attack, and great support play and some intricate off-loads resulted in a brilliant try under the sticks to get them back into the game at 10-7.

Salem were next on the scoresheet, however, when fly half Andy Robinson, who was a constant threat, jinked his way over the line for a try, improved by full back Danny Belcher to give his side a 17-7 advantage.

The visitors then enjoyed some good fortune when open-side flanker Joe Fawcett intercepted a loose pass and dotted down between the uprights, Belcher landing the simple conversion to give his side a 24-7 lead at the break.

However, Salem suffered a setback on the stroke of half-time when hard-hitting centre Conor Wood was sent to the sin-bin for an illegal tackle and, while their opponents were down to 14 men, the Medics exploited space down the left side to score a converted try to give then renewed hope at 24-14 down.

Salem had other ideas, however, and a try by wingman Sam Savage after slick handling in the backs gave the visitors a 15 point cushion at 29-14.

But Salem suffered a further blow when Walker was rather harshly sent to the bin for being caught off-side in the 'red zone'.

With a man down, Salem found it difficult to break down Medics' resolute defensive line, and their cause wasn't helped when, no sooner had they been restored to a full complement, than Belcher rightly received a yellow card for a clumsy high tackle.

Nevertheless, the Heaton side still managed to finish the game on a high and, with only minutes left on the clock, Falwasser stretched out to bag his second try, improved by Robinson to give his side a 36-14 advantage.

Then, deep into injury time, Robinson also got over the line for his second try which he improved himself to give Salem a slightly flattering margin.