MOST sports teams will often look to make their home ground a ‘fortress’ and Bradford Salem, who are flying high in the Regional Two North East division, are no different to that.

In league fixtures alone, the West Yorkshire outfit have claimed victories in their last 11 home matches, which in itself is a reason to catch the eye.

But their home form, along with the appointment of Bob Hood as head coach at the start of the 23/24 season, has been the catalyst to a remarkable shift in momentum for the club and that has been the real eye catcher.

They sealed promotion to the Regional Two North East after a scintillating campaign last time around, in which they looked like a team totally transformed to that of the season before.

However, moving up a division has not for one minute stopped them in their tracks.

They’ve lost just one out of their opening six league fixtures so far this season, which is remarkable.

Sitting second in the division, they play host to Moortown today and despite the visitors looking strong themselves in 6th place, it’s hard to see beyond a Salem victory given their relentless pace at home.

This weekend’s hosts have been on the road for the past two weeks, losing their first fixture of the campaign in a 22-14 defeat at Old Brodleians, before returning to winning ways at Malton and Norton last week.

The comfort of returning to West Yorkshire could see Salem continue on their formidable home run, and victory could potentially open up a route to the table’s summit as league leaders Rochdale face a tricky trip to Scarborough.

Can Bradford close the gap? It will be interesting to see.

Elsewhere in West Yorkshire, Baildon don’t have a game until November 2 when they travel to Ripon, and Bradford & Bingley also return to action at the start of November when they pay a visit to Halifax Vandals.

Cleckheaton do play this weekend, and it represents a good challenge for the West Yorkshire side as they play host to Driffield, a side who sit in 5th and just three points above Cleck.

It’s been a mixed season for Cleckheaton so far having won three and lost three of their opening six league fixtures.

They had begun to show some real signs of momentum until last week, as prior to that Cleck had won three out of their four previous league matches.

But last week’s humbling 48-21 defeat at 3rd place Huddersfield will have come as a blow to the Bradford outfit, so it will be interesting to see how they respond this time around in front of their home supporters.

A victory this weekend would send a real signal of intent out to the Regional One North East Division.

Keighley also have a weekend off their league calendar, and they return to action against North Ribblesdale on November 2.