Rugby Union: Bradford Salem 30, Keighley 25.

Bradford Salem may be in mid-table in North East Three, but probably have the most exciting set of backs in the division.

They were certainly too hot for Keighley, who are two divisions higher, in this club match.

And at the heart of much of Salem's positive running from deep was full back Joe Simpson.

The 20-year-old, whose main exposure in rugby has come in league via Bradford Bulls' Academy side, Keighley Cougars and Dewsbury Rams, scored an excellent try himself and was involved in two others.

"I haven't played rugby union since I was introduced to it at Otley Colts through Sam Gardner, who is now in the first team squad there," said Joe.

"But I am really enjoying it as we tend to play a very open sort of game.

"I haven't come across a better set of backs than us in our division.

"There is still an element of the side getting to know each other though, and I am sure we will get better in the second half of the season.

"As for rugby league, I need to talk to Bradford Bulls coach Matthew Elliott about my future when he gets back from Australia, but I am hoping to play for an under-21 side somewhere."

Keighley were unlucky in the 11th minute in that what should have been a knock-on to them turned into a Salem try.

Referee Neil Clarke (Yorkshire Society) either didn't see the offence or played a long advantage as the ball eventually went deeper into Salem territory, but Simpson ran the ball back, found centre Steve Brown, and he passed to winger Chris Luxton, who had the legs to round the last defender.

Fly half Andy Dalton's conversion into a stiff breeze made it 7-0, but Keighley levelled six minutes later via a try by strong-running centre Kevin Young, converted by fly half Johnny Harrison.

Dalton made it 10-7 with a penalty, and Dan Scarborough capitalised on some defensive hesitancy to poach a second try, Dalton's well-struck conversion taking the score to 17-7.

A half-gap was enough for Keighley scrum half Martin Uren to burrow through for a try to leave the visitors 17-12 down at half-time.

Harrison hit a post with a penalty and then added a drop goal, but that was only the prelude to Simpson's try, which came after a long diagonal run from halfway.

"I was ankle-tapped near the line, but wasn't held, so I got up and touched down," explained Simpson.

A Dalton penalty made it 25-15, and an even better Salem try followed in the 58th minute, some fine running and passing putting Luxton in for his second.

It was then a matter of Salem holding on for the remainder of the match as Harrison landed a penalty and converted flanker Mark Lister's try in a Keighley resurgence.

Keighley skipper John Duffy said afterwards: "Confidence is at a low ebb at the moment, and Salem just wanted it more than us.

"We have lost our last four matches and we have still to win away from home in the league. I just wish I could put my finger on why it has happened."

Salem lock Ben Scarborough seemed to have been sent off in injury time for use of the boot, but the player said afterwards: "I was only sin-binned."

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