Yorkshire Division One: Selby 0, Bradford Salem 67

SANDHILL Lane has not been a happy hunting ground for Bradford Salem over the years, so few could have predicted that Selby would suffer their biggest ever league defeat in this encounter.

Despite the final outcome, honours were even in the opening quarter, with neither side managing to break down well-organised defences.

The deadlock was finally broken after 22 minutes when centre Neil Wall, who was a handful throughout, showed great strength to force his way over and give Salem a 5-0 lead.

Five minutes later, a pin-point crosskick from fly half and skipper Andy Robinson was collected by Sam Savage, and the winger dived over for a fine try, improved by full back Danny Belcher to put the visitors 12-0 ahead.

With half-time approaching, referee Hanson Haigh awarded Salem a penalty, and the Bradford side elected to take the points to gain a 15-0 advantage at the break.

After five minutes of the second half, right winger Nick Fontaine finished off some swift handling in the backs to extend his side's lead to 20 points, and after that the floodgates seemed to open.

Within minutes, a delighted Harry Hall went over for his first try in Salem colours, Belcher adding the extras to extend the lead to 27-0.

Next on the scoresheet was man of the match Conor Wood, the powerful flanker showing good pace to outstrip the floundering Selby cover defence to score an excellent individual try, improved by Belcher for 34-0.


From there on, it became a procession as Wall, Wood and Fontaine scored their second tries to take Salem beyond the 50-point mark.

It was then only a question of how many more points Salem would rack up as Selby's spirits continued to wilt.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Canadian No 8 Chad Bain thundered his way over from short range, Belcher's conversion making it 60-0.


Then, just as questions were being asked as to whether Belcher had ever failed to cross the whitewash in such a high-scoring game, the classy full back cantered under the posts for a try he improved himself to seal a crushing 67-0 victory.