Keighley undone by basic errors as Bradford Salem take derby spoils

SALEM gained revenge in this hard-fought local derby, deserving their victory on balance as Keighley slipped to their third straight defeat.

The game started at a cracking pace – the forward battle was intense with no quarter asked for or given.

Keighley, who won 19-17 at Salem earlier in the season, survived an early onslaught and moved into opposition territory, using their big centres to drive up field. The result was a penalty for Alex Brown.

The early score stirred Keighley into life as continued pressure gave them good field position and possession.

However, it was a similar story to previous weeks as their good work was undone by poor execution of basic skills, inaccurate line-out work and poor ball retention at the breakdown. The only reward was another penalty for Brown. Eventually, Salem, with the three-quarter duo of Booth and Robinson controlling the runners in midfield, gained a foothold in the hosts' territory and full back Danny Belcher booted over a penalty.

The second half continued in the same vain in what was an arm wrestle in the middle of the field. Neither side were able to gain any sort of dominance of possession or territory.

With the forwards more or less cancelling each other out, it was the backs who would probably decide the outcome.

Salem, with a strong defence, contained everything that Keighley had to offer.

Poor kicking gave the prominent Belcher chance to run out of defence, which allowed his centres to link up and run some good lines of attack, causing Keighley problems. Their forays led to two penalties which Belcher gratefully converted. Bradford were now forcing the pace and gained a foothold in home territory. Their consistently good line-out provided possession which was driven foreward by their eager pack.

A couple of drives took them near to the try-line and quick ball, combined with a poor defensive set-up behind the ruck, gave scrum half Matt Booth a gap and a well-taken try.

Keighley sensed it was slipping away from them and upped their game. With Dan Snowden to the fore, the forwards forced their way downfield and quick hands along the line gave winger Joe Copperwaite the opportunity to score in the corner. Although Keighley had the best of the remaining minutes, they were unable to string enough phases together to put Salem under any meaningful pressure and had to be content with a losing bonus point.

Their return to league action is not until January 7, when they visit Beverley, but they visit Burnley on Tuesday, December 27 (2.15pm) in their annual War of the Roses friendly.