Bradford Salem 26 Keighley 24

NEWLY-crowned SSE Yorkshire Two champions Bradford Salem withstood a late fightback from local rivals Keighley to maintain their unbeaten record.

In blustery conditions at Shay Lane, Salem started positively and took an early 5-0 lead when blind-side flanker Conor Wood forced his way over from a catch and drive.

However, the hosts were caught offside immediately from the restart and, although centre Danny McGee pulled the penalty attempt wide of the uprights, his opposite number Chris Clough spilled the ball over the line to gift Keighley a five-metre scrummage.

Then, after a period of intense pressure on their opponents' line, Keighley drew level at 5-5 when scrum half Allan Ebbrell dummied his way over from the base of a maul.

Salem regained the lead after 22 minutes when open-side flanker Joe Fawcett showed great upper-body strength as he shrugged off several would-be tacklers to score a fine individual try, improved by full back Danny Belcher to put the home side 12-5 ahead.

The hosts then suffered a major blow as influential prop Simon Davies had to leave the field with a knee injury, and Keighley seemed to get the upper-hand in the forwards as a result.

It didn't take long for the visitors to hit back as Ebbrell scored his second try, improved by McGee, to get the visitors back on level terms at 12-12 at the break.

The introduction of former England international Dan Scarbrough on the right wing early in the second half seemed to provide Salem with the spark they needed, and the league leaders went back in front when Wood, who had moved to centre, darted over in the left corner, Belcher landing the touchline conversion to give his side a 19-12 advantage.

Belcher then ghosted through some weak defending for a brilliant individual effort which he improved himself and, with the scoreline at 26-12, the Heaton high-fliers looked home and dry.

Keighley, however, had other ideas and, after being camped on the Salem line, skipper and hooker Will Armitage barged his way over from close range to get his side back into the game at 26-17.

Keighley's pack continued to dominate and, with just ten minutes remaining, they ensured a nail-biting finale when referee Jason Brian awarded the visitors a penalty try after Salem skipper and fly half Andy Robinson's deliberate tap-down denied a certain try, McGee adding the simple conversion to get his side back to within two points.