Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 0 Scarborough 27

HANDLING errors proved costly for Bradford Salem as they dropped to 11th place.

The hosts had the better of the earlier exchanges but were unable to turn pressure into points.

However, as it happened it was Scarborough who had the first opportunity to get on the board after West Yorkshire Society referee Mike Dickinson penalised Salem for not rolling away but winger Tom Harrison pushed his 40-metre penalty attempt wide of the uprights.

With a quarter of the game gone, Salem enjoyed their best period but when Danny Belcher broke through, the classy full back's attempted chip over the last defender was charged down and the attack came to nothing.

However, the home side continued to press, only for wingers Ryan Smith and Nick Fontaine to knock the ball on when in good positions.

After just under 30 minutes, the inevitable happened as Scarborough scored against the run of play after Salem were penalised for not releasing.

The resulting touchline kick put the visitors to within ten metres of their opponents' try-line and, from the ensuing line-out, Scarborough moved the ball swiftly across the line.

Although Salem did exceptionally well to stop outstanding Kiwi No 8 Isaac Faamau from scoring, they could not prevent American open-side flanker Devin Ibanez from forcing his way over from the next play to give the Seasiders a 5-0 lead.

In the next five minutes, Salem conceded a series of penalties and, once again, Scarborough found themselves camped in the opponents' 22.

Following fast hands from a line-out, a flat pass created a half-break in midfield and, despite the fact that the offload to supporting centre Graham Hogg looked suspiciously forward, the stocky Scot – brother of British and Irish Lions star Stuart – showed good strength to stretch out and score a try that was improved by Harrison to put the visitors 12-0 ahead.

Scarborough had chances to add to their tally before the break and only some frantic Salem cover defence in injury time prevented them from scoring.

An excellent break by centre Dean Pearce gave Salem some encouragement early in the second half but, despite gaining good field position, they lost a five-metre line-out on their own throw, allowing Scarborough to clear their lines.

To make matters worse for the hosts, they then conceded a penalty, and Hogg struck the ball through the sticks from fully 40 metres to give his side a 15-0 advantage.

Perhaps the turning point in the game came with 15 minutes of normal time remaining when Belcher burst clear, only for his potential try-scoring pass failing to find Smith outside him.

Minutes later, Scarborough punished the hosts for this near miss as Hogg crashed through off a pop pass to score a fine try improved by Harrison to give the visitors a healthy 22-0 advantage.

Salem now had to chase the game, and when scrum half Matt Booth's forced pass was intercepted by Harrison, this not only gifted Scarborough a bonus point but the final scoreline of 27-0 was not really a fair reflection of the home side's efforts.

Nevertheless, Salem will need to cut out elementary errors if they are to give themselves any chance of moving up the table.