Dinnington 33 Bradford Salem 15

Salem have found themselves 3 tries down in the opening quarter of their recent visits to Lodge Lane before rallying later in the game.
However, it was very much a case of role reversal as, this time, Salem scored 2 tries to none to lead 10-9 at half-time.

In uncustomary fine weather at Dinnington, the hosts chose to play down the slope and, as usual, Salem had some defending to do in the early stages.

Having weathered the early pressure, a good return by full-back Harley Robertshaw put speedy winger Caleb McConville clear down the right flank but, unfortunately, his inside pass, which was intended for supporting scrum half Callum Smith, went to ground.

Dinnington's cause wasn't helped by injuries to centre Daniel Wilkinson and flanker Ryan Donnelly in the first 10 minutes but they still managed to take a 3-0 lead courtesy of a well struck penalty from fly half Jonny West.

Salem's response was swift and a bullocking run by prop Xander McConville got his side to within striking distance. Then a good take in the line by second rower Dom Bailey gave skipper and Number 8 Christian Baines the chance to power over the line and put the visitors 5-3 in front.

Smith was unable to land the conversion but he soon made amends as his clever chip through found Caleb McConville in space and he dived over in the corner to increase Salem's lead to 10-3.

Although indiscipline by Salem allowed West to kick 2 further penalties to reduce the arrears to 10-9, the visitors would be happy with a one point lead with the benefit of playing downhill in the second half.

The momentum of the game swung massively in the home side's favour straight from the restart when West collected the kick off reception virtually on his own line. However, the Dinnington fly half, who has just returned to the club after a spell at Doncaster Knights, kicked the ball fully 90 metres to earn the hosts a line out on their opponent's 5 metre line. Almost inevitably, Dinnington scored from the ensuing catch and drive and, as if to add salt to the wound, West converted from the touchline to put the South Yorkshire club 16-10 in front.

Salem were then reduced to 14 men when centre Joel Marsh was harshly sent to the bin for a minor technical offence by referee Phil Gordge and Dinnington took full advantage of their extra man when their big Number 8, Daniel Cribbis, forced his way over for a try which West improved to increase his side's lead to 23-10.

Salem hit back within 5 minutes, and, although Xander McConville was hauled down inches short after another strong carry, the ball was moved wide enabling winger Ben Shaw to cross in the left corner to reduce the deficit to 23-15.

Another superb West touch-finder earned Dinnington another 5 metre line-out and despite some desperate Salem defending, the pressure eventually told as the hosts forced their way over the line for a 28-15 lead.

Salem were still very much in the contest and had a number of opportunities to score a 4th bonus point try to set up a grandstand finish. However, it was Dinnington who had the final say as they scored their own bonus point 4th try from yet another catch and drive to seal a 33-15 victory.