Rugby

REPORT

Steve Menzies claimed the only try of the night as the Bradford Bulls were made to battle for their 0 points to 7 victory over the Salford City Reds at the Willows for Round 4 of engage Super League.

The Australian forward’s 24th-minute touchdown proved enough for a second successive Bulls victory but the manner of their performance was not as it was just seven days ago.

Salford showed plenty of determination but lacked the quality to break through and Bradford made sure of victory at The Willows with a late Matt Orford penalty and Paul Sykes drop goal.

The Reds were barely able to get out of their own half in the opening 40 minutes and it was remarkable they came through it only 4-0 down.

Twice Bulls winger Rikki Sheriffe went close to scoring early on but, hindered by a hamstring injury, he was unable to touch down precise kicks from influential half-backs Orford and Brett Kearney.

Another Orford kick put pressure on the opposite wing but Ashley Gibson did well to defuse the danger.

Salford at last earned some relief as they were awarded a penalty on halfway in the 21st minute and their supporters celebrated as if they had scored a try.

And it almost got better as they finally pieced together a threatening attack but a Dan Holdsworth knock-on allowed Bradford to break.

The only try came moments later as Kearney burst through the line and Sykes sent Menzies over.

Orford went wide with the conversion and despite applying more pressure, the Bulls were unable to add to their lead.

Salford actually ended the half strongly but their limitations were obvious and Bradford held out until the break.

Bradford were forced into a change as Sheriffe was unable to continue for the second period.

Dave Halley moved into his position out wide with Sykes taking over at full-back.

The game proceeded at the same dreary pace it had before the interval but Salford showed resolve and eventually made some good ground.

A penalty gave them a chance to attack the Bulls line but Luke Swain was held just short and Mark Henry then fumbled.

The Bulls tried to make them pay but Stuart Reardon also knocked on when well placed.

Bradford’s profligacy encouraged Salford to hit back but another handling error, this time by Stefan Ratchford, ended a promising attack.

The visitors at least put themselves a converted score ahead when they were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute and Orford accepted the two points on offer.

But the game was still not secure and Salford could not be knocked for their persistence.

Ratchford almost stole through for a dramatic try with four minutes remaining but was denied by a fine Sykes tackle.

Bradford added the extra insurance of a Sykes drop goal with two minutes remaining.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS

Bradford coach Steve McNamara admitted his relief after his side ground out a low-scoring victory at Salford on Friday night.

McNamara said: "It was certainly not the most attractive game and I don't think either side will be selling hundreds of DVDs of it."

"I thought inside the first 10 minutes of the game we had three or four really clear-cut chances and I'm just glad that hasn't come back to bite us on the backside."

"Credit to Salford, they made it a really tough game."

"It is probably one of the most pleasing victories I have had as a coach," added McNamara.

"But it is a really tough place to come and the game was in the balance a long time, so to win it 7-0 was really pleasing."

Reds coach Shaun McRae, however, found plenty of reason for optimism and is confident the Reds will soon start moving upwards.

McRae said: "It is probably the second week in a row I could say we deserved a draw."

"I thought we did against Leeds last week and again tonight."

"I am very proud of the lads' efforts. We had a couple of tryscoring opportunities and didn't quite take them."

"They had one in the first half and that was the difference in the game."

"We have got a little bit to do with the ball in hand and need to fine-tune a couple of things but I thought it was above satisfactory."

"If we keep playing like that a win is not too far away."