Rugby

REPORT

Bradford Bulls were indebted to a perfect goalkicking display from skipper Paul Deacon as they kicked off the second half of their season with an impressive 34 points to 22 victory, keeping alive their engage Super League play-off hopes and claiming a double over the Wakefield Wildcats.

With both sides scoring five tries, Deacon provided the difference, landing all eight kicks at goal, in marked contrast to Wakefield’s Danny Brough, who managed just one from five attempts.

Defeat was tough on Wakefield centre Sean Gleeson, who scored a first-half hat-trick after being called into the side as a replacement for the injured Ryan Atkins.

Bradford’s solitary international, Sam Burgess, could also be a doubt after being sin-binned, along with Wakefield captain Jason Demetriou, for his part in a second-half flare-up and could be forced to face a disciplinary hearing.

There was relief all round Odsal as the Bulls gained a second win over the Wildcats in a month but only their second at home this season as they seek to revive their flagging campaign.

Bradford coach Steve McNamara handed a debut to 19-year-old second rower Elliott Whitehead whilst Micheal Platt and Matt Cook missed out on selection.

The changes paid off in the opening stages as the Bulls started promisingly to open up a 14-4 lead after 21 minutes.

Centre Chris Nero sidestepped his way over for the game's first try and loose forward Jamie Langley broke through the first line of defence to get Steve Menzies over for the first of his two tries.

Deacon converted both scores and put over a penalty before Gleeson took centre stage.

The former Wigan player had opened his account on 14 minutes after second rower Steve Snitch had caused the initial breach down Bradford’s right-hand side.

He added a second, courtesy of Danny Brough's short pass, and completed his hat-trick on 32 minutes after a superb break and inside pass by full-back Matt Blaymire.

Brough was only able to add one of the conversions to leave the scores tied at 14-14 and Bradford regained the lead three minutes before half-time when Langley carved out a second try for Menzies after repeating his earlier heroics.

The Wildcats cut the deficit to just two points early in the second half when Snitch scored a fourth try, taking advantage of a ricochet from Brough's grubber kick.

But a knock-on by Michael Korkidas near his own line gifted the Bulls a dream attacking position and Julien Rinaldi made them pay by forcing his way over from dummy half for his first try for the club which effectively turned the game Bradford's way.

Menzies, who made the initial inroads, took a return pass from impressive full-back Dave Halley and Ben Jeffries kept the ball alive for Nero to finish off a glorious move with his second try.

After the flurry of scoring, the game eventually settled down, only to flare up on 67 minutes when both sides traded punches, and they were reduced to 12 men when Demetriou and Burgess were showed the yellow card.

Wakefield gave themselves hope when Brad Drew's cut-out pass got winger Scott Grix over for a fifth try on 67 minutes but it was not enough to release Bradford's grip on the game and Deacon made sure of the win with two further penalties in the last seven minutes.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS TO FOLLOW