BRADFORD Salem moved up into eighth place in Counties One Yorkshire after a superb 25-10 home victory over high-flying Hullensians.

The visitors had travelled to Shay Lane on the back of a five-match winning streak, but ran into an inspired Salem, who built perfectly on their morale-boosting last-gasp win at Huddersfield Laund Hill the previous weekend.

The Bradford side nearly scored in the opening five minutes but scrum-half Harley Robertshaw, who otherwise had an excellent game, was unable to hold on to the ball with the line at his mercy.

However, this reprieve for the visitors proved to be short-lived, as, moments later, centre Jake Green kicked a penalty to give Salem a 3-0 lead.

For the next 30 minutes, in spite of some enterprising rugby from both teams, neither side was able make the all-important breakthrough, although Salem winger Josh Charnock had to pull off two try-saving tackles to prevent Hullensians from scoring.

In the closing minutes of the first half, there was a huge swing in momentum when, following a period of sustained pressure on the home side's try line, Hullensians lost possession.

Quick as a flash, Robertshaw scooped up the loose ball, beat two would-be defenders down the touchline, before outpacing the cover defence to sprint 70 metres for a brilliant solo try.

Green added the extras to give the hosts a 10-0 lead, but it needed some last-ditch defending from Toni Fa and Callum Smith to stop Hullensians getting over the line on the stroke of half-time.

Despite a good take by Ben Whitaker and a strong carry from Christian Baines straight from the restart, referee Nia Parsonage, who handled the game impeccably throughout, pulled Salem back for a forward pass.

From the resulting scrum, a well-rehearsed training ground move, orchestrated by fly-half Josh Abbot, gave winger Callum Arro sufficient room to race over for a try in the left corner to cut the deficit to 10-5.

With 10 minutes of the second half gone, a great tackle by Salem winger Caleb McConville created a turnover.

Then, after a clean take by Whitaker from a lineout, replacement centre Elliott Cousins broke through before passing to Green.

He was hauled down agonisingly short, but managed to off-load to Smith, who dived over for the try.

Green then landed the conversion from the touchline to put Salem 17-5 in front.

Hullensians responded positively and they reduced the arrears to 17-10 with another well-worked move, this time full-back Dom Bloomfield crossing in the left corner.

Salem were then reduced to 14 men when Green was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on and it needed more tenacious defending by Fa to keep Hullensians out.

Having weathered the storm, Salem were awarded a penalty and Green returned to the fray to stroke the ball between the uprights for a 20-10 lead.

The home side were soon back on the attack and they finished the game off in style with one more try.

Robertshaw spotted a gap on the blindside and his well-weighted pass gave Green the opportunity to dive over in the corner to seal an impressive 25-10 victory.

Salem visit another promotion-chasing side in Keighley on Saturday, and the Bradford District side warmed up for that derby clash with a win of their own at the weekend, beating Beverley 22-8 to move up to second.

In Counties Two Yorkshire, Baildon are up to third after thumping Bramley Phoenix 55-13, while Cleckheaton edged out fellow high-flyers Driffield 25-24 in a thrilling Regional One North East encounter.

Baildon's next game is at fifth-placed Ripon, while Cleck visit league leaders Heath.

Regional Two North East side Bradford & Bingley, who lost 25-7 in a basement battle with Old Crossleyans on Saturday, face another struggling side this weekend, as they travel to third-bottom Pocklington.