Sin-binning costs Bradford Salem dear as they let big lead slip

BRADFORD Salem snatched defeat from the jaws of victory as they let a ten-point lead slip in the final 15 minutes of an enthralling Yorkshire Division One contest.

Despite heavy rain throughout, both sides managed to play some expansive rugby with a surprisingly low number of handling errors.

Salem seized the early initiative and, after some excellent ball retention, they took a 3-0 lead after five minutes courtesy of a penalty from Danny Belcher.

The full back's second penalty attempt from the halfway line fell agonisingly short and, after this reprieve, the home side levelled the scores at 3-3 with a penalty from fly half Clayton McCloud after Salem centre Dean Pearce was penalised for not releasing.

Although Salem were dominating possession, a mistake by winger Ryan Smith after 30 minutes gave Hullensians a scrum just outside their opponents' 22.

When No 8 Jason Conroy's clever inside pass found Ollie Dynan in support, the open-side flanker showed good acceleration to outpace the cover defence to score a fine try on the left and give the hosts an 8-3 lead.

Five minutes later, Smith made up for his earlier error as some deft inter-passing on the blindside sent skipper and fly half Andy Robinson over on the right, Belcher landing the difficult conversion to edge Salem 10-8 ahead.

The Bradford side were now playing with growing confidence and slick handling in the backs enabled Smith to score in the corner to give the visitors a 15-8 advantage at the break.

Salem kept up the momentum and, 16 minutes into the second half, Belcher's second successful penalty gave them a healthy 18-8 lead.

Then with just 15 minutes to go, there was a game-changing moment as Salem elected to run the ball from within their own 22.

The gamble seemed to have paid off as Belcher's long pass put Smith clear on the right, only for referee Ian Hallam to pull him back for a forward pass.

Belcher, unfortunately, took exception to this decision and was sent to sin-bin for dissent.

This proved to be Salem's undoing as, while they were down to 14 men, they conceded two tries when firstly prop Danny Marren scored from a catch and drive and then, following a kick and chase, scrum half Andy Krebs was on hand to drive over from close range to give the home side a two-point lead.

Once back to a full complement, Salem threw everything at their opponents in the final five minutes but they could not make the vital breakthrough and Hullensians ran out 20-18 winners.