ACADEMY MATCH REPORT | WARRINGTON (H)

Despite a performance that contained plenty to be proud of, Bulls Academy were ultimately defeated 14-16 by their Warrington Wolves counterparts at Bartercard Odsal Stadium last night.

The game’s early minutes set the stage for what was to come, with the dreadful conditions on the pitch making it difficult for either team play their best game thanks to the relentless rain and wind that particularly affected kicking.

An early talking point however was a seventh minute sin-bin for Wire’s Daniel Hackney, who was given his marching orders following a high tackle.

Both teams had their fair share of promising moments early on that showed plenty of potential for a high scoring fixture, but defensive resilience meant that the first half reached the 20 minute mark with the teams still locked at 0-0.

However, this fact soon changed in the 22nd minute when some fine play in the final 10 made way for the ball to find Francis Sargent, with the right winger crossing the try line for Warrington, awarding them the game’s first points before the conversion was successfully kicked by Joseph Hickey. 

Despite going behind, Bulls continued to defend well and managed to keep their habit of getting up the pitch quickly despite the conditions, a habit that soon paid off in the 34th minute when a high pass on the left wing found the waiting arms of Joel Rice, who slid through the mud to finally get Bradford a deserved try that was followed by a conversion from Sam Ackroyd to level the game at 6-6. 

Bulls’ momentum was further illustrated just two minutes later, again making it down the pitch quickly before Lewis Emmerson barged over underneath the posts and on the floor amidst a sea of bodies. 

This was followed by another successful Ackroyd conversion, giving Bradford a 12-6 advantage they would hold onto as the referee’s whistle blew for half time.

Bulls began the second half in the same manner in which they played throughout the first, continuing their resilience on their own line and preventing Wire from getting over on several occasions. A notable example came in the 46th minute when Rafael Van Osselaer Hewitt looked destined to score, only for a last ditch Bradford tackle to send him and the ball tumbling out of play.

This allowed Bulls to make their way up the pitch again, resulting in a penalty that was easily converted by Ackroyd, continuing the stand off’s great kicking form in the game and extending Bradford’s lead to 14-6. 

However, going further behind rejuvenated the visitors and their play vastly improved from this point on, preventing Bulls from extending their advantage and managing to halve the deficit in the 58th minute thanks to a try that came as a result of Wire charging their way through the Bradford back line before sliding over in the corner. 

Hickey’s couldn’t convert, leaving the game at 14-10 to set up an exciting final 20 minutes. 

Despite looking like they could draw the game level immediately with continued pressure, Wire once again found themselves in front of Bulls’ impressive defensive display in the final 10, a factor that ultimately played a big part in the home side managing to maintain their narrow lead as the game entered the final five minutes, further frustrating Warrington as a result. 

However, there would be late heartbreak for Bulls in the 79th minute when their resilience was finally broken by a rapid move forward from the visitors that resulted in a game levelling try before Hickey’s conversion sealed Wire’s victory by a 14-16 scoreline following an extended period of stoppages. 

BRADFORD BULLS ACADEMY: Connor Sayner, Calum Burn, Sam Spencer, Harvey Duckworth, Joel Rice, Sam Ackroyd, George Rayner, Jamie Gill, Lewis Owens, Alfie Leake, Jacob Bateman, Conlan Mawson, Freddie Butler. INTERCHANGES: Henry Welsh, Lewis Emmerson, Isaac Oughton, George McKinley. 18^th Man: Seth Clapham. 

TRIES: Rice, Emmerson

GOALS: Ackroyd 3/3

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Credit: Cayden Sands