BRADFORD Salem eased their relegation fears with a 26-8 bonus point win over fellow strugglers Hullensians in Yorkshire Division One.

In better than expected weather conditions at Shay Lane, the visitors took an early 3-0 lead courtesy of a Chris Lound penalty after Salem winger Liam Barker was guilty of not releasing.

However, the lead proved to be short-lived, as, within minutes, Salem centre Chris Clough sold a number of outrageous dummies to score a brilliant individual try which winger Jake Green improved to put the hosts 7-3 in front.

With 25 minutes gone, Hullensians had a chance to narrow the gap but Lound pulled his penalty attempt wide of the uprights.

Salem were then dealt a blow when Eoghan Phiilips, who was making his debut at centre, was yellow-carded for accidentally taking an opposing player out in the air after fly-half Harry Hall’s attempted clearance was charged down.

Things got worse for the hosts, as, two minutes later, they were reduced to 13 men when Central Society referee, Mark Smith, sent flanker Mike Macdonald to the bin for a technical offence at the breakdown.

With a two-man advantage, it seemed inevitable Hullensians would score and the pressure eventually told as hooker Andy Vernon went over in the corner from a well-rehearsed line-out move to give the visitors a slender 8-7 advantage at the break.

Starting the second-half with a two-player deficit, Salem did well to absorb the early pressure, and, once back to a full complement, they were soon on the front foot.

The momentum took a definite swing when Hullensians were reduced to 14 men, and, although Clough’s speculative long pass from a quick tap penalty failed to reach it’s intended target, Salem continued to pile on the pressure.

After a wave of attacks on their opponent’s line, Salem’s replacement lock forward Ben Whitaker was held up over the line. However, his fellow second rower, Sam Savage was on hand to dive over the line from close range, replacement winger Sam Riley adding the extras to put the hosts 14-8 ahead.

Salem were now in the ascendancy, and, within five minutes, they extended their advantage to 13 points when full-back Ryan Smith collected a pin-point kick by Clough to score a fine try improved by Riley.

With 15 minutes remaining, Salem scored an all-important fourth try when a planned move involving Rhys Green and Clough put replacement Conor Wood clear on the left and the powerful centre was not going to be stopped as he showed deceptive pace to cross in the corner to give his side a healthy 26-8 lead.

Although both sides squandered scoring opportunities in the closing 10 minutes, Hullensians missed a clear cut chance when winger Josh Langford dropped the ball over the try line.

This allowed Salem to clear the ball to seal a 26-8 victory which consolidates their ninth place position in the table.