Bradford Salem 8, Wheatley Hills 5
Bradford Salem ended their seven-match losing run with an inspired victory over leaders Wheatley Hills at Shay Lane.
Salem suffered an early blow when experienced fly half Jonathan Davies was carried off with an ankle injury following a late challenge.
It meant a reshuffle was required but the changes seemed to galvanise Bradford.
After 20 minutes, second rower Ben Scarbrough stole the ball from a Wheatley Hills throw in and rumbled his way over from ten metres out. Richard Langhorn, taking over kicking duties, missed the conversion.
The visitors levelled the scores at 5-5 after lock Andrew Penno forced his way over from close range. Then in stoppage time, Langhorn made up for his earlier miss with a well-struck penalty to give the home side an 8-5 advantage at the break.
In the second half, Salem’s pack withstood increasing pressure in both the scrums and line-outs. The Heaton side spent virtually the entire half defending in a heroic effort which sealed a historic victory.
Salem also progressed into the quarter-finals of the Yorkshire Challenge Shield as the game was played as a league and cup "double-header".
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