BRADFORD Salem are still seeking a first-ever win at Beaver Park after a late rally by Beverley earned them a 39-19 victory in Yorkshire One.

However, things could have been so much different had 19-year-old second rower, Fin Southcott, not received a red card with only 16 minutes of the game played.

In deteriorating conditions following some heavy downpours, Salem started positively, but, their inability to find touch from three penalty touch kicks proved damaging as Beverley fly-half and captain Rob Smith's well-struck penalty gave the hosts a 3-0 lead.

Salem hit back within five minutes when Beverley's decision to try and run the ball from their own line backfired as Tongan centre Toni Fa's huge hit created a turnover, and, from the breakdown, swift handling gave winger Jake Green enough space to power over in the corner to put his side 5-3 ahead. Moments later came the incident which effectively changed the game.

A scuffle broke out on half-way and with players from both sides joining in, referee Jordan Wakeham issued a yellow card to Beverley second rower Jack Houseman, while his opposite number Southcott received a red card for his part in the melee. Smith then kicked the resultant penalty to give hosts a 6-5 lead.

With just over 20 minutes gone, Beverley extended this to 11-5 when full-back, Jake Boardman scored in the left corner.

Then, eight minutes later and now playing with a one-man advantage, Beverley went further ahead when a wide pass put replacement winger Joe Rose over in the same corner to take the score to 18-5.

To their credit, the Salem players refused to let their heads drop and they hit back as skipper Christian Baines powered his way over for a try which Green improved to reduce the deficit to 18-12 at the break.

With the rain lashing down early in the second half, a superb 50/22 touch-finder by full-back Caleb McConville got Salem to within striking distance, and, following a catch and drive, hooker James Brown forced his way over from close range, Green adding the extras to give the visitors a slender 19-18 advantage with 30 minutes to go.

At this point, Salem, with a man down, were starting to show signs of fatigue and when fly half Harley Robertson's attempted clearance on his own line was charged down, the ball fell kindly for opposite number Smith who scored a try he improved himself to put his side back in front at 25-19.

Salem were now up against it and Beverley's vociferous crowd were clearly not happy with a couple of big hits by Baines.

In spite of some desperate defending by Salem, the pressure eventually told, and, when Boardman scored his second try, with the scoreline now 32-19, the contest was virtually over.

With seven minutes remaining, referee Wakeham, who had a good game overall, finally succumbed to the clamorings of the home support and sent Baines to the sin-bin.

With Salem now down to 13 men and their tank running on low, Beverley scored a fifth try to seal a 39-19 victory, a margin that probably wasn't a true reflection of a game which was competitive throughout.