BRADFORD Salem made a great start to 2019, winning 39-36 in a high-scoring Yorkshire Division One thriller against Selby at Shay Lane.

Neither side had recorded a victory in the league since October and as a consequence, both teams went into the game seeking to get their season back on track.

Salem made the better start and went ahead after just five minutes when Kiwi prop Callum King powered over from close range.

Scrum half Jamie Simpson, deputising for flu-victim Danny Belcher, added the conversion to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead.

Salem did not have to wait long to increase their lead and they went 12-0 ahead when centre Chris Clough and Latvian hooker Gundars Griekis combined well to send supporting flanker Rhys Green over for a try.

When Nick Fontaine scampered under the posts after a fine break by second-rower Sam Savage, the home side were 19 points in front after just 20 minutes of play.

Salem skipper and No8, Christian Baines, was then held up inches short of the line and Selby were penalised for deliberately killing the ball.

The hosts elected to take the three points on offer and Simpson’s successful kick gave them a 22-0 advantage.

Selby did not allow their heads to drop and they were soon back on the attack after Salem were penalised at a line-out.

Following a period of pressure in Salem’s 22, referee Tony Smith awarded Selby a penalty try when he deemed that a high tackle had prevented a certain score. With the deficit reduced to 22-7, the visitors’ spirits were visibly lifted.

Nevertheless, the North Yorkshire side suffered a setback straight from the restart, as they were reduced to 14 men when a player was yellow carded for preventing a quick tap penalty.

Despite the one-man handicap, Selby took advantage of a Baines knock-on. They broke away down the left before a pass inside set up their second score. The conversion made the score 22-14.

Salem responded positively and full back Max Trueman burst through to score an excellent try, which Simpson improved to give the hosts a 29-14 lead at the break.

The visitors came back out playing a more expansive game and their endeavours were quickly rewarded when slick handling created a try to reduce the arrears to 29-19.

More good hands produced a carbon copy try down the left flank and reduced the deficit to just five points at 29-24.

A Simpson penalty gave Salem breathing space, before a converted Baines try left the hosts looking safe.

Clough almost sealed the game but dropped the ball in the act of scoring with just 10 minutes to go.

Selby almost made him pay. They were denied by a last-ditch tackle after breaking from their own line, before crossing in the corner at the last to get within a score.

Fortunately for Salem, Trueman managed to gather the restart and kick the ball out of play to seal a thrilling victory.