BRADFORD Salem made it four straight wins over Huddersfield Laund Hill on Saturday, scoring seven tries in an emphatic 45-20 Counties One Yorkshire win.
While they remain eighth in the 12-team table, an impressive run means they are now just 10 points off third, which could give them an unlikely shot at promotion.
Saturday's game saw Salem fall behind initially, as they were penalised for holding on five minutes in and full-back Tom Egan stroked the ball through the uprights to give his side a 3-0 lead.
Salem produced a positive response as a strong carry by centre Toni Fa got them to within striking distance.
Then, after recycling the ball, swift handling created a simple run in for flanker and man of the match, Nick Fontaine.
Jake Green landed the tricky conversion five metres from touch to put the hosts 7-3 ahead.
Huddersfield reduced the arrears to a single point courtesy of another well-struck Egan penalty, before he fell short from halfway in an attempt to give his side the lead.
Salem conceded a penalty on their own 22 for a high shot, and the Huddersfield side bravely opted for touch rather than take the easy three points.
The decision paid off, as slick handling resulted in a try for centre Liam Haines, Egan adding the extras to put his side 13-7 in front.
Punishing runs from Muli Taufa and Tom Cummins soon got Salem back on the front foot and the pressure eventually told when Green powered his way over for a try he improved himself to give the home side a slender 14-13 advantage.
Straight from the restart, the hosts scored a stunning try to increase their lead.
A brilliant break by Taufa from inside his own 22 split the visitors' defensive line wide open and speedy winger Caleb McConville continued the move to race home from 40 metres for a superb try.
A series of penalties in Huddersfield's favour after the otherwise-excellent Dom Bailey dropped the ball got the visitors to within inches of the Salem line.
But the hosts stood firm in the face of wave after wave of attacks but somehow held out to reach half-time with a six-point lead.
Playing towards their favoured end in the second half, Salem were now in the driving seat and they went agonisingly close on two occasions early in the second half.
Green was then bundled into touch just before the try line, but that let-off for Huddersfield proved to be short-lived as, from the very next play, Xander McConville picked a great line as he powered his way over for a try.
Green landed his conversion to increase Salem's lead to 26-13.
Salem were now in rampant mood and, although Caleb McConville was again hauled down agonisingly short, Cummins showed good upper body strength as he forced his way over from close range to make the score 31-13.
Salem continued to dominate and an intelligent Kyle Carter kick got them deep into opposition territory.
Then, from a catch and drive, skipper Christian Baines scored a trademark try to extend the lead to 38-13.
With five minutes remaining, Fontaine broke clear before sending Mirzaali scampering under the posts, Carter landing the simple conversion to give Salem a commanding 45-13 advantage.
Poor discipline from Salem in the closing stages led to Laund Hill being awarded a penalty try in the very last play, but it proved academic, as the game ended 45-20 in the home side's favour.
Keighley were knocked off top spot in the same division after a shock 32-20 defeat at lowly West Leeds.
Down in Counties Two Yorkshire, Baildon's promotion push continued with a thumping 46-12 win over struggling Northallerton.
Up in Regional One North East, Cleckheaton are fifth after beating a dangerous Doncaster Phoenix side 31-14, but the gap to second is now just six points, as the three teams above them all lost.
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