YORK RUFC dropped two places in the Yorkshire One table after allowing a fourth consecutive victory to slip from their grasp at Bradford Salem.

With half an hour to play, York led the game by 16 points and looked firmly on course for another four points. Salem, however, scored three converted tries to deny Lee Denham’s side.

The fixture always promised to be a tougher assignment than in recent weeks and York did not help their cause by frequently handing possession back to their opponents. After several phases of play, Salem’s backs spread the ball wide and scored an unconverted try to lead 5-0.

York forced an attacking line out. Quick ball allowed Liam Hessay to release the outside backs and Tom Newitt scored. George Davies converted to make the score 7-5.

Both sides swapped penalties in quick succession for hands in the ruck making the score 10-8 after 17 minutes.

Marc Benson broke and quick recycling allowed Hessay to play a reverse pass with Hugh Nicholson going in under the posts. The conversion was missed. 15-8.

York continued to pressure Salem and a penalty was quickly taken by Toby Atkin who dived in under the posts. Davies converted. 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 minutes, Hessay chipped through for Newitt to score. Conversion missed. 27-11.

The dynamics of the game changed and, York’s forwards decided to try and take on the heavier Salem pack. Salem duly started to control possession and, on 60 minutes, forced a line out on the five metre line and a simple catch and drive took them over. 27-16. During the next 10 minutes, York turned down two kickable penalties and both times the scoring opportunity was lost. Salem scored 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 it to the backs after two phases, it took four or five - by which time the space had gone, nullifying York’s pace. With five minutes to go, Salem scored the decisive converted try to win 30-27.

*YORK will be hosting a charity lunch before this weekend’s Yorkshire One game against Beverley. The lunch will raise funds for Blesma, the charity supporting limbless Armed Forces veterans. Tickets cost £20 and are available by emailing lee@tribedenham.co.uk.