Leodiensian 3 Bradford Salem 35

BRADFORD Salem started 2015 in fine style as they recorded a bonus-point win at Leodiensian to maintain their position at the top of SSE Yorkshire Division Two.

Despite Leos losing a player to the sin bin after only two minutes, Salem took until the 13th minute to open their account.

Centre Chris Clough showed great strength to brush off several would-be tacklers before dotting down beneath the sticks, full back Danny Belcher converted.

However, in a rare visit into their opponents’ half, Leos reduced the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty.

Salem were then dealt three major blows as firstly influential prop Simon Davies, pictured, had to leave the field while Kiwi No 8 Marc Gibbons and hooker Ali Veitch were sin binned.

Once they had been restored to a full complement early in the second half, Salem started to exert pressure.

Lock Rhys Green took a lovely inside pass from fly half Andy Robinson to score a try which Belcher converted.

When Belcher crossed for a try which he improved himself, the writing was on the wall.

With ten minutes remaining, Salem deservedly secured the four-try bonus point they deserved when a deft grubber kick by Robinson found Joe Fawcett in acres of space and the classy open-side flanker showed good composure to gather the ball and dive over the line for a try improved by Belcher to take the score to 28-3.

Minutes later, centre Ryan Smith was on hand to score after some more good handling in the backs, Belcher maintaining his 100 per cent record with the boot.

Despite losing Wood to the sin-bin, Salem created a number of scoring chances in the closing minutes before eventually running out comfortable 35-3 victors.