WITH both teams coming into the game on equal points, Bradford Salem had a more comfortable ride than expected as they recorded an emphatic 45-18 victory over Beverley in Yorkshire Division One.

In cold and breezy conditions at Shay Lane, Salem made the ideal start when two penalties for high tackles got them to within five metres of the Beverley line. Then from a catch and drive from the line-out, second rower Will Collins drove over for a try to give the hosts an early 5-0 lead.

With 10 minutes gone, an attempted clearance by Beverley fly-half and captain Phil Duboulay went out on the full and this gave Salem an attacking scrum 30 metres from their opponent’s line.

With ball secured from the set-piece, good ball retention and slick handling created some holes to exploit although second rower Ben Whitaker still had plenty to do as he barged his way over for a try, centre Danny Belcher’s conversion giving the home side a 12-0 lead.

Salem continued to attack and more good handling put winger Jake Green clear on the right and even though his attempted inside pass wasn’t the best, centre Nick Fontaine was on hand to score a fine try to extend the host's advantage to 17 points after 20 minutes.

Five minutes later, breaks by Belcher and full-back Ryan Smith got Salem to within striking distance of the Beverley line and, from a maul, No8 and skipper Christian Baines sold a dummy before stretching out to score a try, improved by Belcher.

Beverley did not allow their heads to drop and Duboulay kicked two penalties to reduce the arrears to 24-6 at the break.

Within five minutes of the restart, Salem were back on the attack and, despite the fact that scrum-half Kristan Dobson was bundled into touch five metres out, the ball went loose at the ensuing line-out enabling Kiwi prop Callum King to pick up before powering over for his first try for the club, Belcher adding the extras for a 31-6 lead.

With 10 minutes of the second half played, Salem suffered a blow when winger Dan Scarbrough, who had come on as a replacement for the injured Max Trueman, received a yellow card for a clumsy high tackle.

With a one-man advantage, Beverley piled on the pressure and, despite last-ditch tackles from centre Chris Clough and flanker Conor Wood, they finally forced their way for a try, improved by Duboulay.

However, any chance of a Beverley revival proved to be short-lived as a Dobson kick and chase put Salem deep into opposition territory and, from a tap penalty, replacement flanker Sam Savage, playing in his first game of the season following a knee injury, forced his way over. Belcher converted.

Salem added to their tally when prop Mike MacDonald became the second player to bag his first try for the club as he burrowed his way over the line following a period of intense pressure to put the hosts 45-13 in front.

However, Beverley hit back to score a consolation try in injury time.