Yorkshire Division One: Beverley 40 Bradford Salem 7

INJURY-ravaged Bradford Salem are still seeking their first win on the road after suffering a fifth successive away defeat in Yorkshire Division One, this time against promotion contenders Beverley at Beaver Park.

Salem’s cause wasn’t helped by the late withdrawal of full back Danny Belcher, meaning that they handed a debut to Scott Smith at centre, with Connor Malarkey moving to the wing in place of Ryan Smith who assumed the full-back role.

Despite these enforced changes, Salem started the game positively nd were on top in the opening quarter.

However, after 15 minutes, they went behind against the run of play as Beverley won a line-out on Salem’s throw-in and slick handling in the backs resulted in a try for centre James Graham.

Minutes later, Beverley looked likely to increase their lead when winger Jacob Holmes seemed to have a clear run to the line.

However, a brilliant piece of cover defending by Salem winger Martins Bokiss prevented a certain try.

On 27 minutes, Beverley did manage to extend their lead when scrum half Will Harrison crossed after more good handling in the backs, although there was more than a suspicion of a forward pass in the build-up.

Then, as if to rub salt in the wound, Beverley fly half and skipper Phil Duboulay slotted the conversion into the wind to give his side a 12-0 advantage.

With 34 minutes played, the home side were perhaps guilty of over-confidence as they attempted to run the ball from their own line.

However, the decision back-fired when the ball went loose, allowing Salem hooker Gundars Griekis to score near the posts, skipper and fly half Andy Robinson adding the extras to get his side back into the game at 12-7.

Then in added time, Beverley scored from a five-metre catch and drive, Duboulay’s conversion giving the home side a 19-7 lead at the break.

With the elements in their favour in the second half, Beverley started to pile on the pressure, and Salem did well to keep their opponents at bay in the opening ten minutes.

However, the visitors suffered a setback when Scott Smith was given a yellow card for a technical offence and, with a one-man advantage, Beverley scored two converted tries in quick succession to give them a healthy 33-7 lead.

Then, with ten minutes remaining, Beverley turned over possession in midfield, and second-rower Lewis Starbuck broke through a tired Salem defensive line to score a fine try that was improved by Duboulay to seal a 40-7 victory.