Bradford Salem made it six wins in six as they overcame a strong Pocklington side in Counties One Yorkshire on Saturday.

And it was quite the weekend scalp, as they travelled to fellow title challengers Pocklington, who had only lost one of their previous eight games at home, and beat them 23-13.

The victory means Salem stay third in the division and they keep up the pressure on leaders Keighley, who are seven points ahead of them but have played a game more.

On a pitch that stood up well in spite of the recent heavy rain, Pocklington were soon on the attack and it needed a good recovery by full back Josh Charnock and a counter-attacking run from winger Aaron Magee to relieve the pressure.

Then, a fine take in the line by Fin Southcott and half break from Andy Robinson put Salem on the front foot, so when Pock were caught offside, winger Jake Green kicked the resulting penalty to give the visitors a 3-0 lead after just four minutes of play.

With 15 minutes gone, Pock drew level with a penalty of their own and five minutes later, Salem were reduced to 14 men when referee Gavin Pender yellow carded Southcott for tackling a man off the ball.

However, despite being a man down, Salem started to pile on the pressure, and, after good work by centre Kyle Carter, Green was just denied scoring a try in the left corner when his foot went into touch.

Skipper Christian Baines also went close before a brilliant inside pass from Robinson put powerhouse prop Conor Wood over for a try, which Green improved to put his side 10 -3 in front.

From the restart, another strong carry by Baines got Salem back on the attack but when the ball went loose, Pocklington kicked through and scored a soft try against the run of play, closing the gap to 10-8.

This unexpected se-back seemed to jolt Salem into action, and, after telling runs from Carter and Callum Smith, Baines sold an outrageous dummy on his way to the line to put his side 15-8 ahead.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Christian Baines (centre) is not just a bruising No.8, which he showed with a superb slight of hand to score Salem's second try. Christian Baines (centre) is not just a bruising No.8, which he showed with a superb slight of hand to score Salem's second try. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Salem were now in the ascendancy, as punishing runs from Sui Matagi and Tom Cummins started to take their toll on the hosts.

Then, from a Dom Bailey catch at a lineout, swift handling in the backs gave Green enough space to score in the right corner to give the Bradford high-fliers a 20-8 advantage at the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Pocklington hit back, and, after a series of punishing scrums on their opponent's line, they scored a try to cut the deficit to 20-13.

However, after that, the game belonged to Salem, with virtually all of the play taking place in the Pocklington half.

To their credit, Pocklington defended heroically and somehow managed to restrict Salem to a single Green penalty, as the visitors ran out eventual 23-13 winners.

Although Salem may have felt that they should have secured a four-try bonus point given the amount of possession and territory they had in the second half, coach Bob Hood was extremely pleased with his side's performance and level of commitment.

That will surely stand them in good stead ahead of the big derby game at home to rock-bottom Bradford & Bingley this coming Saturday.