WETHERBY extended their unbeaten run in Counties One Yorkshire to nine games as they came from behind to secure an 18-13 victory at Bradford Salem.

Salem only had themselves to blame as they held a 13-8 lead with just under 15 minutes remaining, only to concede a soft try while their opponents were down to 14 men.

The sin-binning of Wetherby skipper Stephen Hoather looked likely to ensure victory for Salem, but instead, the visitors were inspired to come back.

It was a nasty case of deja vu for Salem as, earlier in the season, they had lead Wetherby 20-14 in their first ever visit to Grange Park, before conceding a late try to eventually lose 21-20.

Once again, it was Wetherby's Charlie Yates, who scored two tries playing at centre in the earlier meeting, who proved to be Salem's nemesis.

This time Yates was operating at full-back and with just 10 minutes left in the game, he scooped up a loose pass before slicing through the middle to score a try he converted himself to put his side 15-13 in front.

He then kicked a late penalty to seal an 18-13 for Wetherby.

The game began in ideal playing conditions at Shay Lane, although the wind did strengthen as the match progressed.

In the opening exchanges, two knock-ons and two penalties against them meant that Salem found themselves defending on their own line.

With 7 minutes gone, Wetherby scored from a five-metre scrum to go 5-0 in front and though Yates missed the difficult conversion, he soon made amends with a well-struck penalty.

That gave his side an 8-0 lead after 14 minutes, but Salem soon hit back.

A big hit in midfield by Tongan centre Muli Taufa earned the hosts a penalty 10 metres out, and, after a quick tap by Christian Baines, Salem man of the match Nick Fontaine was tackled high.

Jake Green kicked the resulting penalty to reduce the arrears to 8-3.

For the remainder of the half, Salem were on top and it took a last ditch tackle to stop Caleb McConville from scoring after good work from Tom Cummins and Toni Fa.

His elder brother Xander McConville was then held up over the line and Salem had to be content with another Green penalty to make the score 8-6 at the break.

Salem suffered a blow early in the second half when Fontaine was yellow carded for dissent but, despite being a man down for 10 minutes, it was the home side that came closest to scoring, only for Green's penalty attempt to drift wide of the uprights.

With 16 minutes of the second half played and with Salem back to a full compliment, a good take in the line by Dom Bailey and strong carries by Fontaine and Cummins got the hosts to within striking distance.

Then, after a period of pressure on the opposition try-line, scrum-half Kyle Carter showed both strength and determination to score a try, which Green improved to put Salem 13-8 ahead.

However, Salem seemed to lack the composure needed to close out the victory and Yates' try, conversion and penalty in the final quarter proved to be decisive as Wetherby ran out 18-13 winners.