Yorkshire Division One: Heath 33 Bradford Salem 12

BRADFORD Salem slipped to third from bottom as they were over-powered by Heath in the second half of their Yorkshire Division One game at North Dean.

The very heavy conditions were always likely to play into the hands of Heath, who are renowned for having the most powerful pack in the division.

However, Salem made a promising start and took an early 5-0 lead when scrum half James Simpson launched a counter-attack from inside his own half and, following some great inter-passing between Andy Robinson, Ryan Smith and Danny Belcher, Max Trueman was on hand to score a brilliant try in his first start for the club since scoring a hat-trick in a 60-34 victory over Acklam on December 3, 2016.

Heath, who were boosted by the return of four key players since suffering a shock defeat against Selby the previous week, soon started to get on top in the setpieces, and levelled matters after 20 minutes when centre Ezra Hinchcliffe broke down the right before sending winger Cameron Ramsden over for a try in the corner.

Salem responded positively though, and more good handling in the backs looked like it had created a scoring opportunity for winger Ryan Smith but, despite the fact that West Yorkshire Society referee Tony Smith initially appeared to award a try, Heath were subsequently saved by the touch judge's flag.

Five minutes later, Salem were caught offside in their own half, and the home side elected to go for touch rather than for three points.

The decision paid off when, from the resulting line-out, Heath hooker Alex Fadden drove over for a try that was improved by Hinchcliffe to put the hosts 12-5 in front.

To their credit, Salem hit back almost immediately and, following a strong run from centre Harry Hall and an excellent turnover by the forwards, Smith just managed to stretch out to score a try that was improved by Belcher to bring the scores level at 12-12.

Heath emerged from the dressing room in clean shirts after the break, and the kit change seemed to work as, with only three minutes of the second half played, No 8 Richard Brown touched down from a five-metre scrum, with Hinchliffe adding the extras to give the hosts a 19-12 advantage.

As conditions worsened, Heath began to turn the screw, with their pack looking likely to score whenever they got close to the Salem line.

Brown scored a second try in very similar circumstances to his first effort and, despite the fact that the big No 8 later knocked on with the line at his mercy, Heath had built up a commanding 26-12 lead.

Then, with time ticking away, back-rower Jason Merrie scored Heath's third pushover try, with Hinchliffe landing a fourth successful conversion to seal a 33-12 victory.