Bradford Salem 24 Pontefract 17

BRADFORD Salem secured a hard-earned victory over a well-drilled Pontefract side to move up into seventh place in Yorkshire Division One.

Superb individual tries from full back Max Trueman and second rower and man of the match Rhys Green ultimately proved to be the difference against a visiting side that dominated possession.

Salem enjoyed most of the early ball though and, with five minutes gone, a penalty from centre Danny Belcher gave the hosts a 3-0 lead after Pontefract were caught off-side.

The visitors were soon on the front foot but after a good turnover, home winger Sam Dunn broke free on the right only to be pulled back for a forward pass.

Three Salem players made fine midfield breaks but were unable to convert these into scoring chances and the visitors punished that profligacy.

Salem dropped off a couple of tackles and this gave Pontefract number eight Gaz Burns an opportunity to suck in several defenders.

He cleverly offloaded to supporting flanker Jack Beddis, who scored under the posts. Scrum half Callum Watts added the extras to put the visitors 7-3 in front.

The lead proved to be short-lived. After gaining possession following a big hit by Christian Baines, Salem were awarded a penalty in their opponent’s 22.

Rather than going for three points, Green took a quick tap and his lovely side-step, followed by an outrageous dummy, took Pontefract by surprise.

The mobile second rower crossed the line for an excellent solo try, improved by Belcher, to put the home side back in front at 10-7.

Five minutes later, Salem prop Mike MacDonald went close, before the ball was moved left to allow flanker Nick Fontaine to force his way over for a try. Belcher converted to give the Heaton side a 17-7 advantage at the break.

Only last ditch Salem defending prevented Pontefract from scoring early in the second half but the pressure eventually told, as Burns scored from close range. Watts’ conversion reduced the deficit to 17-14.

At this point, the visitors were probably the favourites but a moment of individual brilliance suddenly swung the game Salem’s way.

Trueman showed fabulous footwork to dance his way over for a stunning try, which Belcher converted to give the hosts a 24-14 cushion.

Salem suffered a setback on the hour when second rower Chris Anderson was sent to the sin-bin for his involvement in a scuffle caused by Dunn's high tackle.

Despite being a man down, Salem defended heroically and a desperate cover tackle from replacement centre Chris Clough stopped Pontefract scoring a breakaway try.

In the last play, the hosts, who were back to a full complement, had a scrum on their own 22 but MacDonald was harshly penalised for “pulling down".

Watts kicked the resulting penalty to complete the scoring and earn Pontefract a consolation point, as the game ended 24-17 in the home side’s favour.