Glossop 10, Bradford Salem 24

Second-placed Bradford Salem closed the gap on leaders Old Brodleians to just two points with this victory. On a wet but firm pitch, Salem started well but went behind when centre Kris Whata’s attempted back pass to his full back was snapped up by the Glossop fly half Pickerill, who held off the cover defence to score in the corner.

In spite of this setback, the Bradford side continued to look the more dangerous in attack but some forced passes in scoring positions continued to let them down.

They levelled just before half-time when Sean Fields, normally a hooker but playing at prop for the first time in the absence of Craig Buxton, burrowed his way over from close range. In the second half, Salem began to show some patience.

The pressure started to tell and, after a number of phases, centre Christian Bourne powered his was over for a fine try. Fly half Jonny Robinson kicked the conversion to take his side into a 12-5 lead.

Whata made amends for his earlier error with a well-taken try after the backs had created an overlap on the left. Robinson again added the extras to put the visitors 19-5 up.

With minutes to go, Glossop winger Williams went over in the corner to reduce the arrears.

However, in the final play of the game Bourne got over for his second try after a sweeping move.

The win was all the sweeter as rivals Old Brodleians suffered their first defeat against Heath.