SSE Yorkshire Division Two: Old Rishworthians 10 Bradford Salem 35

BRADFORD Salem regained top spot in SSE Yorkshire Division Two as a strong second-half performance gained them five valuable points in their re-arranged league game at Old Rishworthians.

Salem were wary of opponents who had earned a 15-15 draw at Shay Lane earlier in the the season, and, in typically heavy conditions at Copley, it was always going to be difficult to play expansive rugby.

The visitors started the game in positive fashion, however, and some good ball retention allowed them to launch a wave of attacking moves in their opponents' 22.

The Bradford side missed a cast-iron scoring chance when swift handling in the backs looked to have to created an overlap on the right.

But winger Connor Malarkey chose to cut back inside and the home side's scrambling defence somehow managed to prevent a score.

This reprieve seemed to give Rishworthians a lift and, after 15 minutes and against the run of play, the Halifax side took the lead in somewhat bizarre circumstances when an attempted quick throw-in by Salem hooker Ali Veitch back-fired as the ball went to ground.

This was scooped off the deck by a Rishworthians forward and, despite the fact that both sides seemed to expect the whistle to be blown, Central Yorkshire Society referee Mark Smith waved play on and the player strolled over the try-line without a finger being laid on him.

The home side then added the conversion to take them into an unlikely 7-0 lead.

This was perhaps the wake-up call Salem needed as immediately from the restart they began to pile on the pressure, and from a five-metre scrum the referee awarded a penalty try as the home side illegally prevented a certain pushover try for No 8 Jamie Booth, full back Danny Belcher adding the simple conversion to level the scores at 7-7.

Rishworthians regained the lead with a penalty but Salem hit back when more good handling put Belcher over for a try he improved himself to give the visitors a 14-10 advantage at the break.

The introduction of former England international Dan Scarbrough at half-time seemed to give Salem the impetus they needed, although he made a less than auspicious start as he spilled the ball from the kick-off!

With just three minutes of the second half played, Salem had a stroke of luck when skipper James Cunliffe intercepted a pass, and the second-rower just managed to evade the pursuing Rishworth defenders in a 70-metre sprint to the line, Belcher's magnificent touchline conversion giving the visitors a healthy 21-10 lead.

Despite a bonus point being in the offing, Salem surprisingly went off the boil and it needed some astute kicking from the experienced Scarbrough to settle things down.

With just ten minutes remaining, Salem finally scored their fourth try when quick handling allowed Ryan Smith, who had moved from centre to wing, to score in the corner, Belcher again landing the conversion from the touchline to give his side an unassailable 28-10 lead.

The visitors extended their advantage when Rishworthians dropped the ball in midfield, enabling centre Chris Clough to hack through.

Belcher was first to the ball, and some good footballing skills, together with a cool head, allowed the classy full back to score a fine try which he improved to seal a 35-10 victory.