Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 53 Hullensians 26

BRADFORD Salem finished off their Yorkshire Division One campaign in style as they ran in nine tries against Hullensians in a fast, open and, at times, feisty game at Shay Lane.

On a pitch which was hard in places, the hosts made a positive start and were on the board within four minutes when scrum half Jack Mitchell, playing his last game for the club, broke clear.

Despite being collared short of the line, he showed good strength to force his way over for a try that was improved by fly half and skipper Andy Robinson.

Then straight from the restart, slick handling in the backs gave winger Nick Fontaine enough space to race over for a fine try, with Robinson adding the extras to take his side into a 14-0 lead.

Things got even better for Salem as, in a moment of sheer brillliance, Robinson chipped over the Hullensians back line before regathering and sending Fontaine over for his second try to extend the home side's lead to 19 points after just nine minutes' play.

It took a further nine minutes for Salem to add to their tally when their other wingman, Connor Malarkey, showed good pace to earn his side a four-try bonus point, Robinson landing the touchline conversion to put the Heaton side 26-0 ahead.

To their credit, Hullensians didn't let their heads drop and, after 25 minutes, prop forward Ryan Baron barged his way over, with winger Tom McCarthy tagging on the conversion to reduce the arrears to 26-7.

The visitors were visibly lifted by this, and minutes later scrum half Chris Smith darted over for a try that was improved by McCarthy.

Only a last-ditch tackle from Fontaine prevented Hullensians scoring again straight from the restart but the reprieve proved short-lived as McCarthy dived over in the right corner to get the visitors back to within a score at 26-19.

Thankfully for Salem, they managed to stop the rot when Malarkey made a great catch from the kick-off reception to give his side good field position, and Robinson showed some excellent footwork to jink his way over for a try that he improved himself to give the Bradford side a 33-19 lead at the break.

Salem had a chance to extend their advantage four minutes into the second half but, unfortunately Harry Hall's potential try-scoring pass to Fontaine went forward.

However, Hall soon made amends as he scorched through for a fine individual try to put the hosts 38-19 ahead.

When Fontaine completed his hat-trick, making the score 43-19 with 25 minutes still remaining, it looked like Salem would run away with the game.

However, the match inexplicably began to get a bit niggly, and both sides were reduced to 14 men when Chris Smith was yellow carded for lifting the leg of Salem prop Tom O'Sullivan, whose act of retaliation gave West Yorkshire Sociiety referee Glen Cockcroft no option but to give him a red card.

Despite having to reshuffle their pack following O'Sullivan's dismissal, Salem continued to dominate and went 48-19 in front when Malarkey cruised over for his second try.

With ten minutes left, Salem went past the half-century mark as some brilliant interpassing in the backs resulted in a try for full back Ryan Smith.

Although, Salem had opportunities to increase their lead in the dying minutes, Hullensians had the last laugh as winger Josh Langford crossed to earn the visitors a bonus point, McCarthy adding the conversion to give a final score of 53-26.