Baildon 24, Bradford Salem 19

Despite being moved from Boxing Day to yesterday by mutual consent, this traditional club match attracted a bumper crowd of over 300 to Jenny Lane.

In dry but extremely chilly conditions, both teams contributed to an entertaining afternoon, with Baildon’s young and slightly quicker backs proving the difference.

Strangely, the outcome of the game was decided in the first five minutes of each half.

Immediately from the kick-off, Baildon – playing down the slope – made inroads into the visitors’ defensive line.

After retaining possession for several phases, they managed to score before Salem had touched the ball when Nick Lister forced his way over.

Full back JJ O’Connell then added the extras to give his side an early 7-0 lead.

From the restart, Baildon again worked their way into Salem’s 22.

The Heaton side were then penalised on their own line and Tom Wilson crashed over from a quick tap.

Down 12-0, Salem’s heads didn’t drop and their forwards started to take more control in the loose and, with some telling runs from skipper and No 8 Dean McNicholl, they also denied Baildon’s backs space out wide.

The pressure began to count and Baildon conceded four penalties, all coolly converted by Salem’s 17-year-old fly half Will Rae, which brought the scores level at half-time.

With the slope in their favour in the second half, Salem were confident of victory but they were again caught cold early doors.

Firstly, after Salem lost possession in midfield, Baildon launched a sweeping counter-attack which led to Nick Lister outpacing the cover defence for an excellent try.

Then, minutes later, Lister got over for his third from a tap penalty, and O’Connell’s successful conversion put his side 24-12 ahead.

Salem again showed their mettle and last year’s first-team centre Sean Thomas, making his seasonal debut, managed to force his way over for a try.

Rae landed the conversion but only after the ball had bizarrely hit the upright and crossbar twice.

His team were back in it at 24-19 down with minutes left.

The home side, however, managed to close the game out and claim the bragging rights in a very busy bar!