When Nick Fontaine replaced Morgan Mirzaali with 20 minutes to go, Bradford Salem were trailing 17-18. However, the 38 year old flanker turned the tide as he scored 3 tries in 15 minutes to earn 5 valuable points and keep the Bradford side on top of the Regional 2 North East table.

Salem were under the impression that they were playing mighty Morley for the first time at 1st XV level but Dennis Elam, Morley's historian, unearthed the fact that the 2 clubs had previously met in a Yorkshire Cup tie way back on 19th February 1927!

However, this was Salem's only visit to Scatcherd Lane since that day and a sizeable crowd turned up to watch the mouth-watering prospect of the league leaders playing a Morley team currently sitting in fourth place having won all of their previous games at home.

In ideal playing conditions, it was the hosts who were first on the scoreboard courtesy of an early penalty from scrum half Noah Hawkins for a 3-0 lead.

Salem fly-half Andy Robinson soon levelled matters but moments later Hawkins kicked a second penalty to put his side 6-3 up after 10 minutes.

There was then a lengthy stoppage as 2 Morley players collided with each other from the restart, the game eventually resuming with a Salem scrum 20 metres from their opponent's line. The visitors were then awarded a penalty in a kickable position but skipper Christian Baines elected to go for touch. The decision paid off as a clever inside pass from Robinson put prop Conor Wood through for a try, Robinson adding the extras to give the visitors a 10-6 lead with 20 minutes gone.

Morley responded positively but a potential try-scoring pass was intercepted by Salem winger Jake McFarlane but despite combining well with Mirzaali, the ball eventually went to ground allowing Morley to relieve the pressure.

Salem suffered a big blow when referee Andy Williamson sent Suaia Matagi to the sin-bin for a high tackle and Morley took full advantage of their extra man as Hawkins, who was outstanding throughout, burst through to score a fine individual try which he improved himself to put the home side 13-10 in front.

An excellent break from Morley skipper Nick Green got his side immediately back on the attack and, following a sustained period of pressure, the hosts scored a second try to give them a 18-10 advantage at the break.

Salem came close to scoring within a minute of the restart but dropped the ball over the line. However, they continued to press and, following an excellent catch and drive from a line-out , the ball was moved swiftly wide allowing winger Byron Lisle to scorch over in the left corner, replacement Harry Williams landing the conversion from the touchline to reduce the deficit to 18-17.

Although Salem had the lion's share of possession over the next 10 minutes, it was Morley who came closest to scoring and, had Hawkins been able to regather his kick and chase, the outcome of the game could have been different.

However, no one could have predicted the impact Fontaine would have as he entered the fray with just under 20 minutes of the game remaining.

Following a break down the blindside, Salem got themselves deep into opposition territory and, after a Robinson half-break, Fontaine ghosted through the home defence to score with his very first touch of the ball, Williams tagging on the conversion to put his side 24-18 in front.

Then straight from the restart, Salem were back on the attack and, after another Robinson half-break, Fontaine was on hand to score his second try which Williams improved to extend the visitors lead to 31-18.

Salem continued to press and a superb Williams touch-finder got them to within striking distance. Then, after a catch and drive, Fontaine completed his hat-trick, Williams landing another conversion from the touchline to give the hosts an unassailable 38-18 lead.

With time ticking away, it needed a great tackle by Callum Smith to prevent Morley getting a consolation try and with the Heaton side finishing strongly as Wood broke out from inside his own 22, Head Coach Bob Hood would have been more than happy with his side's 5 try haul as Salem ran out worthy 38-18 winners.