On another ideal day for rugby, old foes Bradford Salem were the visitors to Crag Lane. Salem were one of the pre season favourites for promotion and have started the season with four straight victories, including impressive wins over Knottingley and Hullensians.

On saturday,they were virtually at full strength, with Danny Belcher returning to their dangerous back line, to compliment their large and effective set of forwards. Their only notable absentee was scrum half Child.

As usual, Leos rang the changes, with Si Dowling, Dan Hyde and Tim Fforde returning to the forwards and Richard Bean to scrum half. There was also a welcome, albeit somewhat delayed debut, for former Otley and Yorkshire three quarter Rob Whatmuff on the right wing.

In still, overcast conditions, Salem opened the stronger and Leos had to survive a series of defensive scrums in their own 22.However,the front row of Chris Lewis James Farad and Si Dowling were solid, the defence was structured and eventually James Henry found a good clearance.

There then followed a game of chess, with both sides seeking field territory and arguably Ed Farmer, James Henry winning the kicking duel. With the back row of Richie Howells, Dan Hyde and Lenny Lane to the fore at the breakdown, Leos exerted pressure and were rewarded when Salem failed to release.Ed Farmer struck the 40m penalty perfectly, to give the home side a three point advantage after 12mins.

Defences were generally on top, with very few tackles being missed in midfield and again the Leos line speed was impressive, forcing Salem out wide, where both Mark Winter and Rob Whatmuff were able to make effective tackles. Leos however had a clear edge in the lineout, where the dominance of Tim Fforde and James Debenham,not only secured home ball but forced the visitors into a number of not straight throw ins.

Leos grew in confidence and then put together an impressive phase of rugby. Tim Fforde secured clean lineout ball, James Farad and Si Dowling drove in, Richard Bean snipped around the fringes, before Lenny Lane attacked down the right, quick ball went through the three quarters before Mark Winter was held just short.

However, Ed Farmer quickly transferred to the right, more brave defence, before James Henry joined the line, straightened and scored a delightful try on 27mins.The Ed Farmer conversion gave Leos a 10 point lead, whilst Will Levitt replaced Dan Hyde, who had a slight knock.

Leos repeated the trick shortly before half time. Solid scrum ball was secured, Richie Howells took the ball forward, Chris Lewis and Will Levitt cleared, James Knibbs attacked the right but was well defended, more forward drives before the halves attacked the line, solid defence but yet more controlled, quick ball, perhaps a gap to the left for Danny Thompson and Mark Winter to exploit, a tremendous covering tackle 10m out but the ball was shifted right, through the hands of Ed Farmer, James Knibbs and James Henry, Rob Whatmuff in space and the county threequarter,classically stood up his opposite number, before rounding him in style, to score a truly sensational team try. A fifteen point lead to take into the half time break.

Both coaches had work to do at half time. Dan Hyde, although impressed, insisted that Leos repeated the performance in the second half, whilst the Salem coach demanded more intensity and particularly a big, opening fifteen minutes. Salem were clearly rattled and almost shell shocked by the intensity of the Leos play, as despite a strong back line ably led by the probing Andy Robinson and a strong physical pack with Damien Pearson, John Bradbury and Simon Davies in the heart of the action, their coach recognised they had much work to do in the second period.

As expected, Salem came out showing greater desire and determination at the start of the second half. They quickly established field position and it took a scything try saving tackle from Danny Thompson to keep them out in the right hand corner.However,their first score was only delayed, as shortly afterwards, they efficiently worked the ball to their left, for the winger Sam Dunn to score in the corner, giving a score line of 15 - 5 on 47mins.

Leos needed to dig deep, with the forwards leading the way. Tim Fforde was having a terrific all round game, skipper Chris Lewis lead the pack well and Will Levitt was at his destructive best at the breakdown.

To prevent a cliff hanger, Leos needed to score next. After two team tries in the first half, Leos saved the best until the 54 min.More solid scrum ball was used by Lenny Lane, Richard Bean attacked the blindside for James Knibbs to make the initial break, forwards were cleaned out, allowing Ed Farmer to continue the break, linking with the impressive James Farad, before he offloaded to the supporting James Debenham,who gave a sensational soft tip on, to the ever present Mark Winter, who finished the 60m move off in style and restored the fifteen point lead.

The game was effectively won 5mins later, when Will Levitt and Richie Howells again proved too quick at the breakdown, Salem failed to release and Farmer converted the penalty from 35m.

Stu Norton and Martin McIntosh replaced James Knibbs and Si Dowling respectively,with Rob Whatmuff moving to his county position of centre. Cheered on by their boisterous group of supporters, Salem enjoyed a dominant 10mins and had a constant threat in their strong running full back Danny Belcher.

However the Leos line speed was again impressive, often driving their opponents backwards with ball in hand but still requiring tackles from Richard Bean and Stu Norton to keep the home line intact. The game ended with Rob Whatmuff brushing aside a couple of attempted tackles to set up a final Leos attack, ended by the referee's whistle.

A highly enjoyable game of intense league rugby, played in excellent spirits and quietly but efficiently run by the exchange referee from Gloucestershire, who was impressed by the quality of rugby provided by both teams.

For Leos, almost a complete team performance, with the hard work being done by the forwards, field position secured and then three quality tries finished by the backs. Bradford Salem will clearly be featuring in the promotion battle and have a solid team under the guidance of an astute coach.

The win moves Leos up to third place but in the ever competitive Yorks 2,only five points separate 9 teams and Rishworthians now have their Polynesian contingent, whilst Ripon have signed an Australian fly half. Next week, Leos travel to face another physical pack, in the shape of Hullensians.

Leos:Henry,Knibbs,Whatmuff,Thompson,Winter,Farer,Bean,Dowling,
Farad,Lewis,Fforde,Debenham,Howells,Lane,Hyde,Levitt,McIntosh,Norton
Bradford Salem:Belcher,Savage,Malakey,Gardner,Dunn,Robinson,
Franklin,Bradbury,Veitch,Davies,Cunliffe,Leach,Booth,Fawcwett
,Pearson,Howcroft,Green,Luxton