Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 9 Middlesbrough 10

BRADFORD Salem could consider themselves unlucky to come away with only one point against a strong and well-drilled Middlesbrough side, who many see as being the title favourites in Yorkshire Division One.

On a wet pitch at Shay Lane, Salem handed home debuts to New Zealander Calllum King at prop, former Harrogate player Mike McDonald on the blind-side flank and ex-Bradford Grammar School students Adam Waring and Joe Hargreaves at scrum half and second row respectively.

Although Salem dominated possession in the opening exchanges, Middlesbrough had the first opportunity to put points on the board but former Wharfedale captain and fly half Andy Baggett pulled his penalty attempt wide.

Salem soon began to get the upper hand in the scrums, and on 11 minutes they took a 3-0 lead courtesy of a long-range penalty from full back Danny Belcher.

Two minutes later, with the hosts still in the driving seat, Belcher kicked a second penalty from virtually the same spot to put them 6-0 in front.

With just over 20 minutes played, Salem lost possession in their own 22, and Middlesbrough skipper and centre Peter Homan picked up and ran unopposed towards the whitewash.

Although the former Darlington Mowden Park star appeared to lose control of the ball as he dived over the line, referee Ruairidh Campbell, who was on an exchange visit from the Scottish Borders Society was unsighted and awarded a try which Baggett improved to give the visitors a 7-6 lead against the run of play.

Despite the fact that Salem took three scrums against the head, they were unable to break down Middlesbrough's resolute defence and, even though the visitors were reduced to 14 men when Josh Lynas received a yellow card, there was no more scoring before half-time.

After nine minutes of the second half, it was Salem's turn to go a man down when skipper and No 8 Christian Baines was sent to the sin-bin for obstruction.

However, Baggett was again off target from the resultant penalty.

With 63 minutes gone, Belcher kicked his third penalty to put the home side 9-7 in front, and at that point they looked the more likely winners.

Middlesbrough though had other ideas as Salem seemed unable to keep the ball in opposition territory.

With five minutes remaining, the experience of Baggett and Homan started to tell and, although the Middlesbrough fly half's third penalty attempt came back off an upright, two minutes later he made amends with a successful kick to put the visitors 10-9 ahead.

In a tense finale, Salem were awarded a penalty just inside their opponent's half with just seconds remaining. However, Belcher was off the field with a head injury and with no other player having the kicking range, Salem went for touch.

Then, in the final play and despite creating an overlap on the right, winger Henry Brown, who had just replaced Belcher, was unable to hold on to a difficult pass and a relieved Middlesbrough ran out 10-9 winners.