Salem Hornets 18 Parr Hare & Hounds 22

HOUNDS finally notched their first win of the season against old rivals Salem Hornets,

Games between these two sides are invariably close -- they drew 12-12 at Parr Stocks earlier in the season -- and this was no exception with the lead changing hands four times before the visitors desevedly took the spoils.

Hounds opened the scoring when strong-running prop Mark Houghton burst through to score an unconverted try, but Salem quickly hit back with two touchdowns, one converted, to lead 10-4.

An Ian Sherwood try, after good work by Paul Martin and Wayne Ashcroft, goaled by Kevin Parylo, saw Hounds draw level. But Salem regained the lead before half-time with an unconverted touchdown.

Hounds went back in front early in the second half when loose-forward Mick Burke scored their third try, converted by Parylo. However, Salem edged ahead at 18-16 with a try from close range.

But, with time running out and the already heavy pitch getting worse by the minute, Hounds grabbed the all-important score when skipper Karl Grounds crashed over and Parylo added his third goal to complete the scoring.

Best for Hounds were forwards Mick Burke, Mark Houghton, Paul Sherwood and Ian Sherwood, along with teenagers, scrum-half Paul Martin, centres Lee Johnson and Craig Sherwood, and winger Tony Halsall.