Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 18 West Leeds 8

BRADFORD Salem upset the formbook with an impressive win against second-placed West Leeds to move up to ninth in the table.

In testing and wintry conditions at Shay Lane, Salem took a 3-0 lead, courtesy of a penalty from full back Danny Belcher, but his opposite number Keir Breakwell replied to get the visitors back on level terms.

With just over 30 minutes played, Salem suffered a major blow as East Midlands Society referee Andrew Beckett sent flanker James Cunliffe to the sin bin for a technical offence.

West Leeds soon made their one-man advantage count and, although a chance went begging as they spilled the ball in the act of scoring, they scored a pushover try from a five-metre scrummage to lead 8-3 at the break.

Another Belcher penalty reduced the arrears to 8-6 early in the second half and, although West Leeds were putting a lot more phases together than their opponents, they were unable to break down a determined home defence, beefed up by the introduction of Conor Wood and Louis Chaudron from the bench.

With 20 minutes left, Salem enjoyed some good fortune when, after the ball was dislodged in a tackle, it fell kindly to replacement centre Kodie Brook, who cantered over for a try that was improved by Belcher to put the hosts 13-8 ahead.

The Salem players' confidence was visibly lifted by this, and they extended their lead to 18-8 when great hands from a counter-attack created space out wide for skipper Andy Robinson and, after making a half break from a dummy, the classy fly half sent supporting winger Ryan Smith over in the corner.

West Leeds dominated the final ten minutes, but, despite losing John Morrell to the sin bin, Salem dug deep and somehow managed to prevent their opponents scoring as they ran out 18-8 winners.