Bradford Salem reach summit with try-fest

The home side, despite lying second from bottom, showed great resilience in the opening quarter and competed well, particularly in the loose.

The deadlock was broken after 20 minutes when winger Tony Williams broke free on the left and his pinpoint cross-kick allowed fellow winger Danny Thomas to win a chase to the line for the opening score, improved by fly half Mark Barlow.

Moortown reduced the deficit with a penalty but the visitors responded when the outstanding Matt Steel scythed through the defence and fed fellow centre Jonny Robinson for a fine try, Barlow adding the extras.

Salem were now playing with increasing confidence but unforced errors in scoring positions proved costly.

However, another midfield break resulted in a further converted try from full back Chris Savva.

Although Moortown kicked another penalty, Salem were reasonably content with a 21-6 lead at the break.

The visitors began the second half in fine style when flanker Damien Pearson started and finished off a break from his own 22 to score an excellent try, which Barlow improved.

A lapse in concentration allowed Moortown to hit back from the restart and score a try to give them some hope at 28-11.

This proved to be short-lived as Williams increased the visitors’ lead to 33-11 with a brilliant solo effort. Receiving the ball in space on the left, the speedy former Dudley Hill winger deftly chipped the ball over his opposite number before regathering and outpacing the cover defence.

Soon afterwards, Pearson was on hand to dive over from a maul for his second try before Williams touched down for his second try after rounding his opposite number and sprinting over in the corner.

Salem were then reduced to 14 men when referee Phil Gordge sent Pearson to the sin-bin after a Moortown player had appeared to run into him. Nevertheless, the visitors finished on a high when skipper Simon Davies threw an outrageous dummy and strolled under the posts.