Old Rishworthians 22 Bradford Salem 26

SALEM’S pack paved the way to victory in a high-intensity game against Old Rishworthians, with the lead changing hands on no less than six occasions.

The visitors got off to a perfect start when Rishworthians made a hash of receiving the kick off, and, from the gifted possession, Salem pressure forced a scrum close to their opponents’ line.

After winning good quality ball from a solid set-piece, scrum half Kristan Dobson picked up from the base and jinked over for a try to give the visitors a 5-0 lead after just four minutes.

Soon after, referee Colin Tovey marched Salem back for questioning his decision to penalise flanker Nick Fontaine for holding on and the indiscretion cost them three points, as opposing fly half Josh Kelly’s penalty reduced the arrears to 5-3.

Minutes later, Salem won a scrum against the head, and, following a break by flanker Conor Wood, a well-timed pass by second rower Rhys Green put winger Jake Green over in the right corner to give the visitors a 10-3 advantage.

Kelly then missed a penalty from inside his own half but, with 15 minutes of the half remaining, he reduced the gap to 10-6.

The home side then took the lead for the first time, when a sustained period of pressure created space for centre Ben Hinsley to cross and give Rishworthians a slender 11-10 lead.

However, another scrum against the head allowed Salem skipper Christian Baines to drive over from close range and centre Danny Becher’s first success with the boot gave the visitors a 17-11 lead at the break.

A knock-on by Wood sparked a series of unforced errors early in the second half by Salem and the hosts took advantage as Kelly’s third successful penalty brought the score to 17-14.

Salem were dominating the scrums and line-outs, but a poor clearance kick gave Rishworthians a chance a launch a counter attack.

After several phases, a pin-point cross-kick from Hinsley gave winger Luke Flanagan space to touch down in the corner to give the hosts a 19-17 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Salem went 20-19 ahead courtesy of a Belcher penalty but the hosts soon regained the advantage when Kelly’s fourth penalty put them 22-20 in front.

The game was in the balance but Salem’s forward dominance, particularly in the set scrums, made all the difference as two further Belcher penalties gave the visitors a 26-22 lead.

When Fontaine burst clear from a turnover with just one man to beat in the final seconds, it seemed inevitable that the visitors would score a bonus point try which would leave the home side empty-handed.

However, Salem backs coach and former England international, Dan Scarbrough, inexplicably dropped the pass with the line at his mercy which meant that Salem had to settle for four points, handing their opponents a deserved consolation point.