BRADFORD Salem's resurgence in Counties One Yorkshire continued with an impressive 21-15 victory away at third-placed Old Rishworthians.

Despite missing several key players, including skipper Christian Baines and Tom Cummins, Salem scored three tries to the home side's none, their only points coming via the boot of fly-half Josh Kelly who kicked five penalties.

On a sticky pitch but in ideal weather conditions at Copley, Rishworthians were immediately on the attack.

Although they were awarded an early penalty, referee Gavin Pender missed what looked to be a dangerous late tackle on Salem's 18 year old full-back Caleb McConville, which many felt merited a yellow card at the very least.

There was perhaps some degree of poetic justice, therefore, when the normally dependable Kelly missed the penalty from 25 metres out.

However, it didn't take Kelly long to make amends, as, moments later, he was on target from 35 metres to put the hosts 3-0 ahead.

It was then Salem's turn to have a shot at goal after Rishes were caught off-side, but Jake Green's attempt from the halfway line fell short of the uprights.

A long kick by fly-half Sam Allan got Salem back on the attack, and, after good work by the forwards, scrum-half Callum Smith spotted a gap on the blindside and his well-weighted pass put winger Josh Charnock over in the left corner to give Salem a 5-3 lead after 17 minutes.

However, four minutes later, the hosts were back in front courtesy of a second Kelly penalty.

Rishworthians were then reduced to 14 men when Pender sent scrum-half Arthur Wilkinson to the sin-bin for a technical offence.

Salem took advantage as Smith again exploited the blindside, this time Green showing his finishing prowess to score in the corner to give his side a 10-6 advantage at the break.

Nine minutes into the second half, Kelly's third successful penalty reduced the deficit to a single point, and the Halifax side regained the lead when the fly-half was on target again soon after.

Salem had reason to feel aggrieved when the referee missed what looked to be a blatant punch on Tongan back-rower, Muli Taufa, but the Heaton side responded positively.

A pin-point kick by Smith found Charnock in space out wide and the winger dived over in the corner for a fine try, and, again, the lead changed hands as Salem went ahead 15-12.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and Rishworthians were reduced to 14 men for a second time as prop Harry Whitfield was yellow carded for foul play.

Salem made the most of their extra man as two well-struck Green penalties gave them a 21-12 lead with five minutes remaining.

In the final play, Salem prop Murphy Kupe was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball in the red-zone and Kelly took the three points on offer to salvage a losing bonus point for the hosts.

Elsewhere in the division, Keighley moved a point off the summit after beating leaders Goole 15-10.

In Counties Two Yorkshire, high-flying Baildon lost 41-20 at leaders Wensleydale.

Up in Regional One North East, Cleckheaton are fourth after a wild 43-40 win at Paviors.

Bradford & Bingley remain winless in Regional Two North East, losing 56-12 at title challengers Scarborough.