Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 33 Selby 23

BRADFORD Salem consolidated their mid-table position with a hard-fought victory over Selby.

In ideal playing conditions at Shay Lane, the home side went in front after just one minute as a strong run by winger Ryan Smith was supported by flanker Nick Fontaine, who in turn sent centre and skipper Andy Robinson scampering under the posts, full back Danny Belcher landing the simple conversion to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

Despite this early setback, Selby responded positively and two penalties from full back Josh Cruise got them back to 7-6.

After 25 minutes, the visitors went ahead when they made the most of a poor grubber kick by Salem fly half Matt Booth, a chip over the opposition defence putting winger Ashton Dallimore into acres of space, and he had plenty of time to regather the ball and cross the line for a try that was improved by Cruise to give the visitors a 13-7 advantage.

However, Salem hit back minutes later, regaining the lead when winger Jake Abram scored following a powerful run from No 8 and man of the match Christian Baines, Belcher adding the extras to edge the hosts 14-13 ahead.

Salem then increased their lead to 19-13 as another punishing run from Baines was finished off by Smith.

But in the final play of the half, Selby launched an enterprising attack from a scrum in their own half and, after some great offloading, skipper Duncan Hardy showed deceptive pace for a prop to score an excellent try that was improved by Cruise to give the visitors a 20-19 advantage.

Three minutes into the second half, Salem suffered a major blow when Leicestershire Society referee Peter Connor sent Baines to the sin-bin for a late challenge on Alex Webster, which forced the Selby centre to leave field.

Selby made the extra man count as a third successful Cruise penalty put them 23-19 ahead.

However, midway though the second half, Baines made amends for his earlier indiscretion as he burst through to score a brilliant try under the posts, Matt Booth tagging on the extras to put the hosts back in front by 26-23.

The game-changing moment came with just over ten minutes remaining as Selby were penalised for a high shot on Robinson.

However, rather than going for three points, the Salem skipper took a quick tap and showed great footwork and upper body strength to score a magical try that was improved by Matt Booth for a commanding 33-23 lead.

Any prospect of a Selby comeback was massively reduced as two yellow cards in the space of a minute reduced them to 13 men.

Nevertheless, even though Salem were reduced to 14 men when Robinson was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball, Selby showed tremendous spirit in the dying minutes and were unlucky to be denied a consolation bonus point when Cruise's last minute drop-goal attempt drifted wide of the uprights.