Selby 45, Bradford Salem 7

Bradford Salem’s dismal start to 2010 continued with a heavy defeat at Sandhill Lane.

The Bradford side were not helped by the late withdrawals of New Zealand skipper Kris Falwasser (tendonitis) and flanker Dave Hutton (sickness) but they were always second best to a resurgent Selby side.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Salem found it difficult to contain Selby’s lively backline and conceded five tries to go behind 33-0 at the break.

Salem’s solitary try came from openside flanker Rob Bourne, converted by fly half Jonathan Davies, but two further tries from the home side clinched a comfortable victory.

The only plusses for Salem were an encouraging debut at scrum half from 18-year-old Will Rae and an excellent comeback game from Jamie Booth, who had to operate both at centre and in the back row.