BRADFORD Salem ended a run of four successive defeats with a well-earned 35-20 home victory over Pontefract in Yorkshire Division One.

After a strong early run by New Zealand flanker Tim Makaafi, a penalty from fly-half Matt Booth gave the hosts an early 3-0 lead.

Salem then suffered a set-back when a speculative Booth pass was intercepted by one of the Pontefract centres, who raced 60 metres upfield to score and put the visitors 5-3 ahead.

Booth soon made amends when his well-timed pass put Max Trueman through a gap. His inside pass to supporting full-back Jack Payne resulted in a try, which got the home side back in front at 8-5.

However, Ponte regained the lead within minutes when they scored a fine try in the left corner, before landing the touchline conversion.

Salem were then reduced to 14 men when referee Mark Smith sent Trueman to the sin-bin for a high-shot and the visitors kicked the resultant penalty to increase their lead to 15-8.

The home side continued to press though and, after second rower Rhys Green went close, skipper Christian Baines powered his way over the line for a try, which Booth improved to bring the scores level at 15-15.

Unfortunately, a mix up between centre Connor Malarkey and winger Sam Dunn gifted the visitors possession from the restart and swift handling from a five-metre scrum created another try to give Pontefract a 20-15 lead at the break.

Salem restarted on the front foot and some great off-loading by the forwards followed by fast hands in the backs created a fine try out wide for Dunn to once again bring the scores level at 20-20.

The hosts then gave away a string of penalties, before going down to 14 men for a second time when Green was yellow carded for a technical offence.

Salem weathered the storm and went ahead 25-20 when a turnover in midfield enabled them to launch a counter-attack. A neat Trueman offload allowed Dunn the opportunity to go over for his second try.

Booth missed the difficult conversion, but soon struck over a penalty to extend his side’s lead to 28-20.

Salem looked likely to add to their tally but Makaafi and Dunn were both denied, the former by an ankle tap and the latter by failing to reel in the final pass for his hat-trick.

Nevertheless, the Bradford side finished on a high when 17-year-old scrum half Harley Robertshaw, who had an outstanding game, broke away to score an excellent try, which Booth improved to seal the 35-20 victory.