BRADFORD Salem’s run of bad luck continued as they were knocked out of the Yorkshire Shield first round 26-23 by Heath in a tight contest at Shay Lane.

For the second week in succession, Salem lost a player before kick-off as second-rower Ben Whitaker aggravated an existing ankle injury during the warm-up. Fortunately for Salem, their second string were also playing at home so the hosts were able to hand a first-team debut to Bradford University student George Keefe at short notice.

With the wind in their favour in the first half, Heath probably had the better scoring opportunities in the opening quarter but they suffered a setback when prop Oliver Cook was sin-binned for a late tackle on Salem fly-half and skipper Andy Robinson.

With the visitors down to 14 men, Salem took advantage as scrum half James Simpson, who had an outstanding game on his home debut, chipped over a flat-footed Heath defensive line before regathering to score a fine individual try, full back Danny Belcher adding the extras.

Heath reduced the deficit courtesy of penalty from centre Ezra Hinchliffe, and, in the third minute of injury time, they took a slender 8-7 lead when their captain and No 8 Ian Downsborough scored a pushover try.

However, Heath were caught off-side and Belcher kicked the resultant penalty to give his side a 10-8 advantage at the break.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men virtually straight from the re-start when Heath prop Chris Moore and Salem prop Tom O’Sullivan were given their marching orders following a punch-up.

After ten minutes of the second half, Heath regained the lead when Cook made up for his earlier indiscretion as he crossed the line following a controlled forward drive, Hinchcliffe tagging on the conversion to put the Halifax side 15-10 ahead.

The lead changed hands for the fourth time when Salem centre Nick Fontaine was first to a breakdown and, after gathering the ball, he showed the opposition a clean pair of heels as he raced under the posts from 30 metres, Belcher landing the simple conversion.

The turning point came with 20 minutes left as Salem were reduced to 13 men when influential No 8 Christian Baines was sent off for an innocuous albeit illegal tackle. The referee’s harsh decision was possibly influenced by the fact Baines had been penalised for a high shot in the previous passage of play.

With a one-man advantage, Heath stretched Salem out wide and regained the lead when swift handling created a huge overlap on the left, enabling flanker Jason Merrie to score a try to put the visitors 20-17 ahead.

However, Heath were penalised for crossing soon after the restart and Belcher’s third penalty from as many attempts got the hosts back on level terms.

Both sides then exchanged penalties to set up a tense finale. It wasn’t to be Salem’s day as Heath once again took a three-point lead when Hinchliffe kicked another penalty for off-side.

Salem still had an opportunity to win but were denied when a potential try-scoring pass failed to reach winger Martins Bokiss.