Yorkshire Division One: Bradford Salem 21 Scarborough 21

BRADFORD Salem held promotion-chasing Scarborough to a draw in a pulsating Yorkshire Division One game at Shay Lane.

Scarborough, who had beaten Salem 48-14 earlier in the season at Silver Royd, were seeking a ninth consecutive win over the Bradford side dating back to 2010.

In fact, Salem’s last win against the seasiders was back on September 16, 2009 when they triumphed 35-22 in their first visit to Scarborough’s new ground following their move from Newby to Scalby.

On a pitch that stood up remarkably well after overnight frost, Salem received a huge let off after just two minutes when some great Scarborough handling created a clear overlap on the left, only for the final pass to be spilled with the try line beckoning.

Following this reprieve, Salem managed to steady the ship, and for the next 20 minutes neither side was able to break down their opponent’s defences.

However, with 22 minutes played, the deadlock was finally broken when, after Salem had conceded a series of penalties on their own line, South African prop Nino Cutino barged his way over from close range to give his side a 5-0 lead.

A penalty kick from Salem full back Danny Belcher reduced the arrears to 5-3, but two minutes later Salem were once again penalised on their own line, and No 8 Ben Martin peeled off the back of a wheeling five-metre scrum to score a try that was improved by fly half Tom Ratcliffe to put the visitors 12-3 in front.

The hosts soon hit back and, after turning over possession, Belcher made a half-break before delivering a lovely inside pass to supporting flanker Nick Fontaine, who outpaced the cover defence to touch down near the posts, with Belcher adding the simple conversion to bring the scores to 12-10.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Salem took the lead for the first time as a second successful Belcher penalty gave them a 13-12 advantage following an illegal high challenge by a Scarborough player.

Two Ratcliffe penalties within ten minutes of the restart gave Scarborough an 18-13 lead, but Salem soon got back on level terms when a deft grubber kick from flanker Sam Savage found winger Ryan Smith, whose improvised footballing skills, aided by a kindly bounce, resulted in an excellent try in the right corner.

With 20 minutes remaining, Salem looked the more likely victors but, unfortunately, they lost a series of line-outs on their own throw.

They also lost momentum when North Yorkshire Society referee Jonathan Hill was forced to stop the game following a nasty, albeit accidental, clash of heads in open play.

This resulted in two Scarborough players lying injured on the ground but, thankfully, both were able to resume after treatment.

Salem continued to press and, buoyed by the vociferous home crowd, their much smaller pack somehow found the strength to drive their opponents backwards.

The Bradford side would almost certainly have scored had second-rower Ben Whitaker been able to hold on to a difficult pop pass from fly half Matt Booth but the ball went loose and the opportunity was missed.

Scarborough looked like they had stolen an unlikely victory when Ratcliffe’s well-struck drop goal put them 21-18 ahead with just one minute of normal time remaining.

With time ticking away, Salem worked their way into their opponent’s 22 and centre Harry Hall hit a great line as he charged towards the line.

However, his progress was abruptly halted by a high shot, resulting in a penalty virtually in front of the posts.

Knowing that it would be the very last play, skipper and No 8 Christian Baines elected to go for the certain three points, and Belcher duly obliged as the game ended in a 21-21 draw.