BRADFORD Salem, who have never won at Beaver Park, suffered yet another heavy defeat at the hands of Beverley, 55-5, to slip to 12th place in Yorkshire One.

Earlier in the week, Salem were rocked by the news that their skipper and talisman, Christian Baines had suffered a serious knee injury during their home defeat to Old Crossleyans the previous week.

Although Baines will need a scan to determine the full extent of the damage, the big number eight, who has twice been Player of the Year in his 4 seasons at Salem, could be facing a lengthy period on the sidelines.

Baines joins a growing injury list which includes Will Collins, Glenn Morrison, Sam Dunn and Simon Markey (all shoulder), plus Jordan Ashworth (head) and Sam Savage (foot).

With several key players such as Morgan Mirzaali, Bobby Darbyshire and Sam Backhouse also unavailable, Salem selected a squad which contained eight players that were 19 or under and three in their forties.

Their much-depleted line-up was always going to find it tough against a well-drilled Beverley outfit playing in front of a large and vociferous home crowd.

To compound Salem's woes, young, hard-running prop forward Xander McConville was forced to leave the field after just four minutes following a clash of heads, meaning that 47-year-old stalwart, John Bradbury had to play virtually a full game.

Before they knew what had hit them, Salem were 21-0 down as Beverley scored three converted tries in the opening 15 minutes.

The writing was on the wall, when, in the very first passage of play, a clever inside pass put Luke Hazel clear and he drew full-back Harley Robertshaw to send Jake Boardman scampering in under the posts.

Centre Rob Smith then added a second before Hazel went over for a third.

To their credit, Salem somehow managed to stem the tide, thanks in the main to some brilliant defending by flanker and captain Jake Green who was Salem's stand out player.

However, despite an excellent run down the left flank by hooker Ed Cook, Salem couldn't get the score they desperately needed, and on the stroke of half-time, Beverley broke from within their own 22.

Swift handling in the backs gave Boardman the chance to cross for his second try to give the hosts a 26-0 lead at the break.

When Boardman crossed for his third early in the second half, Salem looked like they were in for a hiding, but the introduction of veteran scrum half Ian Woodwiss seemed to settle things down.

A smart chip by fly-half Jamie Simpson and an excellent touch-finder from Woodwiss got Salem deep into their opponents' 22, but, following a catch and drive, they were held up over the line.

To make matters worse , Beverley then launched a counter-attack, and, from a quick tap penalty, more swift handling created sufficient space for Boardman to score his fourth.

Salem responded positively, and, following a period of pressure on the opposition line, they finally got their reward when centre Chris Clough stretched out to score and reduce the arrears to 38-5.

Unfortunately, when influential flanker Ben Whitaker took a bad knock on his already heavily strapped knee and was carried from the pitch, Salem looked visibly deflated.

With Salem tiring in the closing stages, Beverley took full advantage as they scored two late tries to run out as emphatic 55-5 winners.

Elsewhere, in North One East, Bradford & Bingley and Cleckheaton both lost.

The latter were thumped 52-15 at Malton and Norton, while Cleck went down 19-15 at Ilkley.

In Yorkshire Two, Keighley hammered Wath Upon Dearne 35-7, and Wibsey lost 23-14 at Burley in Yorkshire Three.