Six of the best as Salem chase third

Bradford Salem did not make a distinguished start to their Yorkshire Division One campaign, winning only one of their first eight matches up to and including the 63-17 drubbing at leaders Sandal on November 3.

However, since then Salem have been transformed and have won their last six league matches, including victories over Sandal, second-placed Ilkley and, yesterday, fourth-placed Scarborough.

And now Salem flanker Jonny Luxton, although realising that Sandal and Ilkley are too far ahead in the promotion places, sees no reason why his side cannot finish a respectable third.

The two-try back-rower said: "Just before Christmas we beat Ilkley and in the first game in January we defeated Sandal and now we have beaten Scarborough, all at Shay Lane."

Salem are still sixth but are only a point behind Bridlington with a game in hand and Scarborough are only three points ahead of them and Selby four, Selby also having played a game more.

Luxton added: "Our home form is excellent but let's see how we fare when we come to some of the away games.

"However, if we keep the run going we have every chance of finishing in the top three."

In explaining why Salem got off to such a poor start, he said: "The first part of the season we lost the majority of our games but since the return of key players from injury and reluctantly coming back from retirement it has changed the fortunes of the team.

"We are on a very good run and the only downside has been the loss in the EDF Energy Senior Vase to Billingham."

Scarborough won the initial encounter 31-10 in October and Luxton said of Saturday's return fixture: "The first 20 minutes they kind of bossed us when we were still in first gear and didn't perform to our usual standards.

"But as time wore on we certainly improved. We picked up the pace a bit in the first half with a few more pick and goes from the base of the rucks but at half-time we got a telling off from our coach Craig Busby.

"We kicked on then and managed to get a try seven minutes into the second half, so full credit to the pack."

Luxton, who was sin-binned along with Scarborough No 8 Ian Hare for an incident in the 38th minute, got two tries in the third quarter as Salem's pack began to dominate, and had almost bagged another in the first half.

Hooker Sean Fields was denied another try in the second half and, in explaining his two legitimate efforts, Luxton said: "Both my tries were pushovers, so I cannot take too much credit.

"I got to the line and managed to fall over after the other guys had done all the hard work, which just goes to show the unselfishness that goes on.

"I was quite relieved not to have to buy a jug of ale if I had scored a hat-trick - but I would have done if the referee had given it.

"However, on balance I probably didn't get it over - perhaps it was a slight double movement.

"Nevertheless, Sean Fields was definitely over for his try in the second half but he was under a pile of bodies and the referee was in the wrong position to see through no fault of his own. But not to worry - we are satisfied with that scoreline."

As for his ten-minute rest at the end of the first half, Luxton said: "The sin-binning was a lack of discipline on my part. I just reacted to a bit of goading from their No 8.

"It wasn't even handbags. It was something or nothing but if you don't keep your discipline you have to expect a yellow card."

With a strong crosswind blowing towards the clubhouse, Salem twice led in the first half through a penalty and a drop goal from fly half Matt Booth, fly half Josh Bullen cancelling out Booth's penalty with one of his own.

Just after coming back on in the second half, Jonny Luxton got his first try after Scarborough had conceded a penalty for not rolling away after the tackle.

Booth popped the penalty into the right-hand corner and the pack did the rest with a catch and drive from the line-out.

Booth's superb conversion attempt into the strong wind smacked against the near upright and, buoyed by Bullen missing a penalty at the other end, Luxton was driven over for his second try in ten minutes, Booth's conversion attempt this time sailing well wide on the at times ferocious elements.

A wild pass to Booth gave Scarborough the put-in at a five-metre attacking scrum but Salem repelled all boarders, and five minutes later Fields was denied his moment of glory at the other end.

Left winger Chris Savva then volleyed the ball ahead and almost regathered it as Salem sought a third try in injury time.