BRADFORD Salem's excellent victory over leaders Bridlington last Saturday completed a hat-trick of notable home scalps.

Bearing in mind that the Heaton club have also beaten fellow top-three clubs West Leeds and York at Shay Lane, you would expect them to be higher in the table than eighth.

Yet this is Yorkshire Division One we are talking about and Salem chairman Neil Klenk said: "It is one of the most competitive divisions in the country.

"Earlier in the season it looked like Acklam would be the whipping boys but, even though they might still go down, I am pleased to say that they have pulled things around.

"Also we have let some games slip away from us, most notably at Selby where we were winning quite comfortably only to lose on the last play, and virtually the same thing happened at home to Keighley.

"We have had a lot of tight games (half their 22 matches have been decided by seven points or less) and we have also picked up quite a few losing bonus points, which at one stage was keeping us above the relegation places because they were almost the equivalent of two wins.

"The only time we have had a mauling was at Bridlington and we competed well there for a long time."

The Bridlington return match last weekend, which was feisty at times and always compelling, was played on a pitch that was remarkably dry.

Klenk said: "We have spent quite a lot of money on it and always spike it and roll it. In racing parlance, it was good to firm after what was a drying wind.

"Meanwhile, I saw Keighley fixture secretary Alden Phillips late last week and they were having a pitch inspection last Saturday morning before their match at home to Selby went ahead."