Bradford Salem 33 Guisborough 27

AS has become a recurring story this season, Guisborough narrowly lost at Bradford Salem.

More than matching their opponents, the Priorymen fell just short of their opponents in a ten try thriller.

Guisborough’s backs were in fine form and several breaks, in particular from their back three of Phil Shields, Lewis Robson and Mark Ferguson, were a constant threat to Bradford Salem.

Despite several promising attacks, it was the hosts who ran in the first two tries, before Mark Ferguson ran over for his first score of the game, following a good move which saw Robson come off his wing to create space.

Michael Henderson was shown a yellow card, after he was deemed not to have retreated 10 metres following a quickly taken penalty, and Bradford Salem used their numerical advantage to score a further try to take a 21-5 interval lead.

Once back to equal numbers in the second half, the visitors were soon on the attack and scored a second try when their forwards powered their way up to the line and Richard Cahill dived over to score his first try in Guisborough colours.

Despite creating more scoring opportunities, it was the hosts who hit Guisborough with a double whammy, scoring a brace of tries in quick succession, to take a healthy lead.

However, Guisborough came storming back. Immediately from a re-start the visitors ran from their own half through Alex Ruff, who linked up with his forwards. Gareth Lodge and Cahill combined, before Ferguson dived over for his second try of the game.

Now in control of the game, the visitors scored the try of the game. Attacking from their own 22 metre area Sam Whyman and Jack Robinson combined before putting Robson in space. Running into the opposition half, the winger drew defenders towards him, before the supporting Shields sprinted over to score.

The tenth try of the game saw Guisborough reduce the arrears to one score. From a scrum situation the forwards moved inside the opposition 22. Oli Taggart made progress through the midfield. Lodge launched a huge pass to the left wing and there was Ferguson to use his strength and agility to score his third try of the game in the left corner. JP Finken-Hayes added a difficult conversion.

With time running out, Guisborough couldn’t muster another scoring opportunity and the game ended in defeat with the scoreboard reading: Bradford Salem 33 points, Guisborough 27 points.

Next week sees the final home game of the season against table-topping Moortown. kick-off 3pm.