Archive
Sun, 30 March 2008
Bradford Bulls V Castleford Tigers
Bradford Bulls: Dave Halley, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala, Ben Jeffries, Paul Deacon, Andy Lynch, Wayne Godwin, Sam Burgess, David Solomona, Chris Nero, Jamie Langley
Subs: Iestyn Harris, Chris Feather, Craig Kopczak, Simon Finnigan
Tries: James Evans, Paul Sykes, Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala(3), Ben Jeffries, Wayne Godwin, Chris Nero
Goals: Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon(6)
Castleford Tigers: McGoldrick, Owen, Lupton, Dixon, Wainwright, Dorn, Sherwin, Huby, Henderson, Korkidas, Leafa, Clayton, Westerman.
Subs: R. Fletcher, Higgins, Boyle, Massey.
Tries: Fletcher
Goals: Westerman (0 from 1)
REPORT
Semi Tadulala collected a hat-trick of tries as the Bradford Bulls proved that struggling Castleford Tigers will need more than Dwain Chambers to avoid the wooden spoon.
Steve McNamara’s side ran in nine tries during a one-sided clash to claim their fourth win in five games which lifts them up into fifth place in the engage Super League.
Bradford led 22-4 at the half-time interval after claiming three tries in 12 minutes midway through the first half and the Tigers never recovered.
Castleford paid a heavy price for conceding an offside penalty near their own line when Wayne Godwin darted over from dummy half for the Bulls’ first try but the visitors were quick to respond.
Luke Dorn, Brent Sherwin and Richard Owen spread the ball to the right flank and substitute Adam Fletcher had enough pace to squeeze over as the Bradford defence struggled to adjust.
Joe Westerman missed the touchline conversion to leave the Tigers trailing by two points but that was to prove the high point for Terry Matterson’s side.
James Evans reacted quickest when Ben Jeffries produced a delicate chip to the corner as Bradford stretched their lead and they never looked back.
Five minutes later, Tadulala claimed his first try since his off-season switch from Wakefield when Andy Lynch picked up a loose ball and fed Paul Deacon.
Then Deacon and Dave Halley found another hole in the Castleford defence to allow Paul Sykes to crash over for his sixth try of the season.
Tadulala grabbed his second two minutes after the interval by finishing a sweeping move started by Halley before Jeffries sliced through Castleford’s line with alarming ease.
Halley had a try disallowed by referee Ben Thaler for a knock-on but Shontayne Hape and Chris Nero continued the rout before Tadulala burst on to David Solomona’s pass to complete his treble.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
When questioned about Chambers, Castleford coach Terry Matterson said: "I don't want to talk about that. All I'm worried about is the team and, to be honest, that hasn't got a hell of a lot to do with me. I'm dealing with the footy team at the moment."
"I'll be honest with you - I don't know much about it. I haven't dealt with it at all. I know a little bit about him but I'd rather not comment on it, to be honest."
Asked whether Chambers could feature in Castleford's reserves next week, Matterson said: "I don't know."
"We haven't got a squad big enough to handle Super League at the moment, never mind Easter," said Matterson, who is fearful that Mark Leafa might have suffered a broken arm during the game.
He added: "We knew it was going to be difficult but I was hoping days like this wouldn't happen."
Bradford boss Steve McNamara was delighted with his side's performance as they found an attacking fluency they have lacked for much of the season.
"I'm really pleased with them," said McNamara. "This game is the really tough one after the Easter period."
"I'm very pleased with the lads and they should gain a lot of confidence by scoring a lot of points like that."
"We possibly put four or five chances down over the line, too."