Bradford Salem 9 v Leos 27

Report by Ian Nicholson

Leos played as well as we have all season for the first 40 minutes and if we had kicked our goals early on would have been 30 points up at that time. Instead it was 20-3, courtesy of tries from Stuart Baker, James Henry and Tim Sleight the latter a classic end to quick aggressive running in midfield, quick ball , quick handling giving Tim Sleight time and space to stand up his winger and scorch in at the corner. Jimmy Henry kicked the goal from the touchline having missed a couple of easier kicks earlier!!

Not surprisingly Salem produced a strong response after a disappointing and in disciplined first half which deprived them of any possession or field position. They retained possession well and then spun the ball wide to really stretch us and only some really disciplined and brave defending kept them out and restricted them to 2 penalties well converted by the full back.

The game was over about 5 minutes from time when a Salem ball carrier lost possession in the tackle and Dan Hyde fed Tim Sleight who ran 65 metres to score under the posts. Jimmy Henry converted and the Salem faithful sloped off.

Tough game in the end well refereed by Carl Walsh and Salem showed why they are up near the top of the table with their second half performance. Dan Hyde really pleased with the commitment and discipline as well as the superb first half performance.

Team: Henry; Sleight, Thompson,McDaid , Winter; Farmer, Bean, Baker, Farad, Lewis; Debenham, Myerscough;Howells, Lane, Hyde:Subs; Connell, Newcombe

Scorers Tries : Sleight(2), Heny, Baker Cons: Henry(2) Pens: Henry