Game

Sunday 6 Sep 2009

Kick Off 15:00

The resurgent Bradford Bulls remain firmly in the play-off hunt after a 44 points to 18 victory over the Salford City Reds at the Grattan Stadium, Odsal, giving them a fourth engage Super League victory in a row.

A month ago Bradford looked certain to miss out on the play-offs for the first time but their late-season revival has breathed new life into their season.

Catalans remain in the last attainable position (8th) however defeat at St Helens next Friday would open the door for Bradford.

Bradford may have benefited from a helping hand in their unlikely pursuit of play-off glory, but Steve McNamara's men did themselves a power of good against an outclassed Salford side who were swept away in a blistering opening.

The Bulls never looked back after scoring two tries in the first four minutes and were 24-6 up by half-time.

Centre Chris Nero got the scoreboard ticking over after only 90 seconds, with the first of his three tries, and Salford had no time to recover before he sent his winger Semi Tadulala over for the first of his two.

Back-row forward Jamie Langley added two further tries before the break, and prop Sam Burgess had one disallowed for a double movement as the home side turned on the power.

It was 18-0 after only 11 minutes, and Salford’s small band of followers must have feared a repeat of the record 96-16 mauling their team suffered at Odsal nine years ago.

But the Reds responded briefly midway through the first half when promising half-back Stefan Ratchford sent winger John Wilshere over and converted the try.

The Bulls lost full-back Dave Halley after 23 minutes with a leg injury but were never seriously troubled by a limited Reds offence.

Late tries by Wilshere and centre Mark Henry, due to poor defence, helped them achieve a semblance of respectability, both converted by Ratchford, but by then Nero had completed his hat-trick and Burgess had sent Tadulala over for his second.

Prop Andy Lynch finished off the scoring two minutes from the end when he forced his way over for Bradford’s eighth try, with Deacon adding his sixth goal.

Bradford coach Steve McNamara is refusing to get carried away by the prospect of a play-off spot despite watching his side round off their home campaign with a fourth successive engage Super League victory.

"It's still out of our hands," said McNamara. "If Catalans go and win, it's not an issue."

"We've not been doing too much different from earlier in the year but the football gods weren't shining on us. Now they're shining on us a little bit."

"We've given ourselves a fighting chance, although I thought we dropped off from our best form. I don't think we were quite as good as we have been but we've still posted a reasonable victory."

Full back, Dave Halley went off with a "dead leg" 23 minutes into the match and played no further part, although he is expected to play at Hull.

"We did not want to risk him," said McNamara. "We got off to a flying start and had a reasonable lead so we sat him on the sidelines for the rest of the game but he should be alright for next week."

Salford never recovered from the blow of conceding two tries in the first four minutes but they restored their pride with late tries from John Wilshere and Mark Henry.

"It was imperative we started well but we turned the ball over on the third tackle and never recovered," said Reds coach Shaun McRae.

"Bradford showed their strength and power and certainly their desire to win the game."

"I thought they were very good and we were good at times but there were just too many errors and too many penalties. We were never able to settle."