Salem kicked off and York caught the ball into touch immediately handing possession back to Salem, this was to be repeated several times during the match. After several phases of play the Salem backs spread the play wide and scored, conversion missed 5-0. From the kick off York forced an attacking line out. Quick ball off the top allowed Liam Hessay to release the outside backs in space and Tom Newitt scored, George Davies converting 7-5 after 6 mins. It soon became clear that if the forwards provided quick ball, the York backs had the measure of Salem. Both sides swopped penalties in quick succession for hands in the ruck; 10-8 after 17 mins. York were now on top and several quick breaks were repelled by Bradford. Marc Benson broke and quick recycling allowed Hessay to play a nice reverse pass with Hugh Nicholson going in under the posts, conversion missed. 15-8. York continued to put pressure on Salem; a penalty after 35 mins was quickly taken by Toby Atkin and he dived in under the posts, Davies converting 22-8. A penalty to Salem just before the break brought the score back to 22-11.

The second half began in similar fashion and on 50 mins Hessay chipped through into space for Newitt to gather and score out wide conversion missed. 27-11. The dynamics of the game now changed; for some reason the York forwards decided to take on the heavier Salem pack and not surprisingly, Bradford started to control possession and the Salem 12 became very influential. On 60mins, Salem forced a line out on the 5m line and a simple catch and drive took them over. 27-16. During the next 10 mins, York turned down 2 kickable penalties. Both kicks to touch found the 5m line but on both occasions the opportunity was lost. Salem then broke to score in the corner and a good conversion brought the score back to 27-23. York now managed to secure ball with the forwards, but instead of releasing the ball to the backs after 2 phases, it took 4 or 5 by which time the space had gone, nullifying York’s pace. On 75 mins, the inevitable happened and Salem scored the decisive converted try; 30-27 to Salem.

Great credit should go to Salem for their comeback, however this was a game York should have won. Chris Fox’s leadership and decision making was badly missed. York need to play to their strengths and accept kickable penalties - something they usually do.

Team - Norris, Starkey, Rutherford, Dawes, Benson, Hall E, Hannibal, Goulding, Atkin T, Hessay, Atkin W, Potrykus S, Newitt, Nicholson H, Davies Subs – Hartley, Forbes, Stockton
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/yorkrufc/photos/bradford-salem-v-york-5th-november-2016-704582.html