Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 15 Beverley 33

BRADFORD Salem's three-match winning run came to end against an organised Beverley side at Shay Lane.

Salem suffered a major setback when star player Danny Belcher had to withdraw through illness on the morning of the game, Ryan Smith moving to full back and Harry Hall gaining promotion from the bench to go on the wing.

In ideal playing conditions on an unseasonably warm afternoon, the hosts were soon on the back foot, and Beverley scored following good handling to take a 5-0 lead after only four minutes.

Two minutes later, Salem reduced the deficit to 5-3, courtesy of a penalty from scrum half Matt Booth after South Yorkshire Society referee Sean White penalised and yellow-carded Beverley's second-row forward Alfie Hart-Fisher for a high shot on Smith.

However, before they had chance to make the extra man count, Salem were themselves reduced to 14 men when No 8 Christian Baines was sent to the sin-bin for another high challenge while making a cover tackle.

After 17 minutes, Beverley increased their lead when excellent recycled ball created sufficient space for Kiwi centre Junior Tupai to dive over for a fine try to give his side a 10-3 advantage.

On 25 minutes, when a poor pass from a set play inside their own 22 involving fly half and skipper Andy Robinson and Hall, failed to find it's intended target, Tupai took full advantage to score his second try, improved by fly half Phil Duboulay to put the visitors 17-3 ahead.

A fine kick return from Smith then gained Salem good field position and, from a five-metre scrummage, swift handling gave winger Nick Fontaine an opportunity to cut through and score an excellent individual try, Booth adding the extras to reduce the arrears to 17-10 at the break.

After ten minutes of the second half, Salem were well and truly back in the game as Baines drove over from close range after Smith had threatened, getting the hosts back to within two points at 17-15.

Although they had their opponents clearly rattled, Salem inexplicably went off the boil, despite the fact that they were playing towards their favoured Heaton Woods end.

Beverley relieved the pressure with two Duboulay penalties after Salem were caught offside to make it 23-15 and, with ten minutes remaining, the contest was effectively ended as Beverley broke down the right and, despite a brilliant cover tackle by Smith, good support of the offload resulted in a try improved by Duboulay to give Beverley an unassailable 30-15 lead.

In the final five minutes, Salem were again reduced to 14 men as Hall was sent to the bin for a high tackle, and Duboulay kicked his third penalty to give Beverley a deserved 33-15 victory.