Yorkshire Division One: Acklam 35 Bradford Salem 40

BRADFORD Salem withstood a spirited late Acklam fightback to claim five league points and consolidate their eighth position in Yorkshire Division One.

On a hard playing surface on a warm and sunny day at Talbot Park, Salem took the lead after six minutes when scrum half Jack Mitchell intercepted a pass and raced 70 metres to score a fine try that was improved by fly half Matt Booth.

Two minutes later, an excellent break by Salem full back and man-of-the-match Ryan Smith was carried on by supporting centre Harry Hall and flanker Callum Manchester, and quick recycled ball from the ensuing breakdown gave skipper Andy Robinson the opportunity to canter over for a try, Booth tagging on the extras to extend the visitors' lead to 14 points.

However, Acklam's outstanding flanker Paddy O'Brien won the ball from the restart, and, after a number of phases, some swift handling allowed centre Marcus Sudron to cross for a try that was improved by full back Danny Ashton to halve the arrears.

Salem responded positively, however, and after winger Nick Fontaine chased down a huge Booth clearance kick, they were only denied a score when prop Will Collins was held up over the line.

However, this reprieve for Acklam proved short-lived as, following a water break due to the heat, Hall cut an great line as he burst through to score an excellent try, with Booth's third successful conversion giving Salem a 21-7 advantage.

Acklam almost hit back immediately though, and only a last-ditch tackle by Smith prevented them from scoring.

Salem then suffered a blow when Booth was sent to the sin-bin for a shoulder charge at a maul.

With a one-man advantage, Acklam threw everything at their opponents and the pressure eventually told as winger Dean Roberts crossed in the corner, Ashton landing a magnificent touchline conversion to get the hosts back to 21-14 at the break.

After just two minutes of the second half, another scintillating break by Smith found centre Sam Gardner in support, and Salem's director of rugby passed the ball to Fontaine, who still had plenty to do as he scored in the left corner, Booth this time kicking the conversion from the touchline to put the visitors 28-14 ahead.

Booth was then the hero turned villain as he received a second yellow card for questioning a decision made by referee Mike Ramsden, and this meant that Salem would have to play the remaining 25 minutes with a man down.

Acklam soon took advantage when centre Ricky Scott made a strong midfield break before off-loading to Roberts, who outpaced the cover defence to score his second try, Ashton's third successful conversion closing the gap to 28-21.

To their credit, Salem hit back when another Smith break was this time supported by Conor Wood, and the powerful flanker showed deceptive pace to score a try to extend the visitors' lead to 33-21.

A fantastic break by Robinson from within his own 22 almost resulted in a try but his inside pass to Fontaine unfortunately went to ground.

Perhaps fittingly, the turning point in the game came from another piece of brilliance from Smith, who, after collecting a kick on the halfway line, beat a host of would-be defenders before swallow diving under the posts for a superb solo try, Robinson adding the extras to give Salem a healthy 40-21 advantage.

Despite this, Acklam refused to throw in the towel, and two further tries from Sudron, both improved by Ashton, got them back to within a score and set up a grandstand finish.

However, Salem managed to control possession from the restart and, to the relief of their supporters, they kicked the ball into touch to seal a 40-35 victory.