Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 14 Heath 19

BRADFORD Salem could count themselves unlucky to lose out in this tightly-contested encounter.

In testing conditions at Shay Lane, honours were even in the opening quarter as the well-organised defences of both sides held firm.

Then, with 25 minutes on the clock, Heath broke the deadlock, when, after turning over possession and breaking through some weak defence, a pin-point crosskick from centre Ben Hinsley created a try in the right corner for winger Simon Brown.

However, this setback seemed to spur Salem into action as, virtually, from the restart, centre Neil Wall scythed through Heath's midfield defence, and supporting skipper and fly half Andy Robinson showed deceptive pace to finish off in fine style, full back Danny Belcher adding the extras to put the hosts 7-5 in front.

With half time approaching, Salem suffered a major blow when West Yorkshire referee Mike Dickinson sent Salem winger Ryan Smith to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock on and, from the ensuing five-metre scrum, former Cleckheaton prop Chris Piper forced his way over from close range, centre Ezra Hinchcliffe landing the conversion to give the Halifax side a 12-7 advantage at the break.

After just five minutes in the second half, and with Salem still down to 14 men, Heath extended their lead to 19-7 when slick handling in the backs created an overlap on the right, allowing Brown to squeeze over in the corner for his second try.

However, the home side once again responded positively, and some punishing runs from Canadian No 8 Chad Bain gave Salem good field position. 

The pressure started to tell and Smith made some amends for his earlier indiscretion as he scorched clear, and, although an ankle tap denied him a brilliant solo effort, his offload to the supporting Dan Snowden enabled the former Keighley Cougar to cross for a try improved by Belcher to get Salem back to within a score at 19-14.

Salem were very much in the ascendancy, and they were soon pressing again on their opponents' try-line.

Just as it seemed inevitable that Salem would get back on level terms, referee Dickinson failed to see Snowden grounding the ball over the try-line and the opportunity was missed.

Heath were visibly lifted by this reprieve and defended heroically for the next ten minute,s with Salem being held up over the line on several occasions.

It clearly wasn't going to be Salem's day as Heath somehow managed to clear their lines and went on to close out a 19-14 victory