Belcher prominent as Bradford Salem rack up bonus-point victory

BOTH teams came into this Yorkshire One game desperate for points after recording just a single win apiece from their opening five matches.

In near perfect conditions at North Dean, Heath full back Jordan Bradbrook sent winger Alfie Blackhall scampering over in the corner and fly half Ezra Hinchcliffe landed the touchline conversion.

Things got worse for Salem as the referee took exception to scrum half Jack Mitchell's use of the boot to free a ball in the ruck area and sent him to the sin-bin.

However, as Heath tried to make the extra man count, a speculative pass was intercepted by Ryan Smith and he raced 70 metres to score under the posts, full back Danny Belcher adding the simple conversion to level the scores at 7-7.

The hosts were then reduced to 14 men as prop Chris Moore was shown a yellow card for a high shot on Salem centre Conor Wood, who was forced off with an ankle injury soon after.

Despite this setback, after just over 30 minutes of play, Salem were awarded a penalty on their opponents' 22. From there, a catch and drive created sufficient space for Belcher to ghost through for a fine try he improved himself to put the visitors 14-7 ahead.

Salem then hit a purple patch and Belcher's well-timed pass put replacement winger Kodie Brook clear on the left for a brilliant try improved by Belcher to increase the lead to 21-7.

Minutes later, Brook made another excellent break down the left and his inside overhead pass found Pearce in support. He showed good pace to score a try improved by Belcher to give the visitors a healthy 28-7 lead and earn themselves a four-try bonus point.

To their credit, the Heath players did not let their heads drop and they scored a pushover try to reduce the arrears to 21-14.

Open-side flanker Howard Hanks then scored a try improved by Hinchcliffe to give the hosts hope of a remarkable comeback.

But Salem managed to force an error from the restart and they closed out a deserved victory to earn themselves five valuable league points which lifted them to ninth in the table.