WINS have been hard to come by over the last five years for Bradford & Bingley, as they have tumbled down into Counties Two Yorkshire.
But they are set to be competitive in this division, and came up with a tight away win in their season opener on Saturday.
They beat Northallerton 22-17 up in North Yorkshire, an impressive feat given a number of first-team regulars were unavailable to head coach Ali Macdonald, with four players making their debuts.
The Bees began brilliantly, Dom Walker slotting over a penalty in the first minute, but a well-organised Northallerton defence kept out the dominant visitors for much of the first half.
But Macdonald’s men finally crossed the whitewash on 33 minutes, as second-row Corey Spencer ploughed over to the right of the posts, Walker converting to ensure his side led 10-0 at the break.
Flanker Alex Leadbeater extended B&B’s lead with a try early in the second half, but Northallerton hit back through winger Reece Brammah.
Jedd Bainbridge added the extras to that score to give the hosts a foothold in the game.
Centre Innocent Mazhambe then came close twice for Bradford & Bingley before his team-mate Lewis Brook got over the line to score.
Walker’s conversion put the Bees 22-7 in front, but Northallerton refused to give in.
Full back Tom Peacock galloped over for the home side’s second try, which was converted, and then Bainbridge knocked over a long-distance penalty to leave his side just five points behind.
Bees winger Robson Moore was then sin-binned for being offside while defending at a ruck, and Northallerton looked odds-on to snatch victory with a late comeback.
But the 14-man visitors held out, meaning they began their season with a win for the first time in six years.
Conversely, it was a disappointing afternoon for their neighbours Baildon, who were fighting hard for promotion last season before falling away after Christmas.
They were away to one of the strongest sides in Counties Two, Yarnbury, but made a bright start, taking an early lead through Sam Murphy’s penalty.
Yarnbury hit back with a try in the corner to lead 5-3, before Murphy missed a golden chance to put Baildon back in front just before the break, missing a penalty right in front of the posts.
The hosts made him pay, dominating the second half to emerge as 18-3 winners.
Bradford Salem got off to the perfect start to the league season following promotion, winning their Regional Two North East opener at Scarborough.
With their expansive, attacking side, it was little surprise that this coastal affair was a high-scoring one.
Both sides played their part in an entertaining contest, but it was the visitors who came out on top, winning 41-30 to mark their 100th anniversary weekend in style.
In the division above, Cleckheaton began their Regional One North East campaign with a bruising 55-3 defeat at a strong Scunthorpe side.
Finally, Keighley will be hunting promotion from Counties One Yorkshire this season, and they got off to a good start, winning their opener 22-13 at home to Hullensians.
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