SSE Yorkshire Division Two

Bradford Salem 26

Barnsley 25

BRADFORD Salem increased their lead at the top of SSE Yorkshire Division Two after overcoming third-placed Barnsley in a nail-biting encounter at Shay Lane.

The visitors made their intentions clear when they made a strong break straight from receiving the kick-off but, in testing conditions, neither side seemed able to gain an advantage in the opening quarter.

Barnsley took a 3-0 lead when a long-range penalty from fly half Andrew Appleyard crept over off the crossbar.

Salem then suffered a setback when referee Daniel Woods rather harshly sent winger Sam Savage to the sin bin for a high shot but, despite being reduced to 14 men, the home side managed to get into their opponent's 22 and, from the breakdown, blind-side flanker Conor Wood, who was a constant threat, powered his way over for a fine try, improved by full back Danny Belcher.

However, Barnsley hit back almost immediately when they exploited the space left by the absence of Savage to put the visitors back in front at 8-7.

Salem had an opportunity to regain the lead but elected to take a quick tap rather than go for three points, much to the annoyance of their coaching staff.

The decision backfired as the ball was lost in the tackle, and the hosts went into the break with a one-point deficit.

Barnsley increased their advantage early in the second half when a well-executed blind-side move put winger Ash Selkeld over, Appleyard adding the extras to give the South Yorkshire side a 15-7 lead.

However, Salem responded positively and got themselves back in the hunt when Kiwi hooker Marc Gibbons drove over the line from close range to reduce the arrears to 15-12.

With a little over 15 minutes remaining, Barnsley took an 18-12 lead courtesy of a second successful penalty from Appleyard but once again Salem hit back when centre Ryan Smith collected a sublime off-load from fly half Andy Robinson to dot down under the posts for an excellent try, Belcher adding the simple conversion to give his side a 19-18 lead.

Just minutes were remaining when Barnsley launched an attack from within their own 22 and some swift handling looked like it had created an overlap on the left.

However, Salem winger Connor Malarkey's gamble paid off and he intercepted the pass to race under the sticks for a try improved by Belcher to give the home side a 26-18 lead and a four-try bonus point.

Salem then suffered a lapse of concentration as they allowed Barnsley to score straight from the restart to earn the visitors a losing bonus point as the game ended with a final score of 26-25 in the home side's favour.