Yorkshire Division One: York 22 Bradford Salem 14

BRADFORD Salem could consider themselves unlucky to return empty handed from their visit to Clifton Park as they slipped to a 22-14 defeat against third-placed York.

In surprisingly good conditions after a spell of heavy rain, both teams were guilty of defensive lapses in the opening exchanges, and, in their first real attack, York took a 5-0 lead when No 8 Shane Goulding forced his way over from close range.

The lead proved to be shortlived, however,  as breaks by full back Ryan Smith, centre Harry Hall and winger Connor Malarkey gave Salem good field position, and, after swift handling created space on the left, No 8 Christian Baines picked a great line as he burst through to score a fine try, which was improved by fly half Matt Booth to put the visitors 7-5 ahead.

York full back Neil McClure then missed an easy penalty, and shortly afterwards Salem turned down the opportunity of three points, electing instead to kick for touch.

However, the decision backfired as they failed to score from the resulting line-out and Hall's drop-goal attempt drifted wide of the uprights.

Salem then had a moment of good fortune as scrum half Jack Mitchell intercepted a pass by his opposite number Jack Ambler and cantered over the line for a try, Matt Booth adding the extras to give the Bradford side a 14-5 advantage.

York hit back within five minutes though as Salem were stretched out wide, and winger George Davies' inside pass put the supporting McClure over for a try to reduce the arrears to 14-10.

The remainder of the half kept the crowd entertained with some exciting end-to-end rugby as firstly Salem flanker Conor Wood set off on a 50- metre gallop, only to be turned over at the breakdown.

Then as York full back McClure broke clear, his decision to dummy rather than use his support was read by opposite number Smith, whose uncompromising tackle ended the attack.

With half-time approaching, Salem looked the most likely to score but despite some excellent interpassing between Smith and Malarkey, the opportunities created went begging.

In the second half, York's powerful pack began to take control of the scrums and Salem found themselves struggling for possession.

It took York just three minutes to regain the lead as a poor clearance kick by Salem was collected at pace by centre Will Atkin, and slick handling and good support play created a second try for Goulding, which Davies improved to put the hosts 17-14 in front.

Salem then suffered a blow as Hertfordshire Society referee Peter Poulain sent Mitchell to the sin-bin for over-zealous use of the boot at a ruck.

However, York were unable to capitalise on their one man advantage.

The remainder of the game developed into a rather scrappy affair, although York came close to scoring after 25 minutes as they just failed to ground the ball from a kick and chase after Salem had failed to find touch from a penalty.

York always looked the most likely to break the deadlock, however, and, after a series of a scrummages on Salem's line, Goulding scored his third try from a pushover to put the home side 22-14 ahead.

Salem were finding it increasingly difficult to break out of their own 22 but the introduction of former England international Dan Scarbrough off the bench gave the visitors some much-needed impetus.

With minutes remaining, Scarbrough came close to breaking through but unfortunately lost his footing and York regained possession to to close out victory.