Rugby

MATCH REPORT

Tom Burgess made his first team debut as the Bradford Bulls stood firm to hold out a stubborn Harlequins comeback to take a 24-22 victory in Round 8 of the engage Super League at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

Former Bradford Bulls centre Karl Pryce marked his return to Odsal with a hat-trick of tries but it was not enough to prevent Harlequins suffering defeat.

Pryce, who left Bradford for rugby union five years ago, gave the Londoners an early lead and touched down twice more in the second half to take his try tally to an impressive five in six appearances in his loan spell from Wigan Warriors.

Rob Powell's men began the season in sensational form with four wins from the first five matches before suffering a club record defeat at Warrington Wolves but today's performance will renew their confidence.

Harlequins, who gave a debut to 20-year-old prop Rob Thomas, were the better side in a scrappy opening quarter.

Dangerous full-back Luke Dorn was put through a gap by Chris Bailey only to be recalled for a forward pass but the visitors drew first blood on 15 minutes when Pryce took Chad Randall's long, lofted pass to grab his first try.

The Bulls struggled to hold onto the greasy ball and the biggest cheer from the home crowd came after 31 minutes when 18-year-old forward Tom Burgess, younger brother of England international Sam, went on for his engage Super League debut.

And the youngster immediately caught the eye with some strong running that appeared to lift Mick Potter's men, who struck twice in the last four minutes of the first half.

The pressure on the Quins line built steadily, with the impressive Craig Kopczak reaching the line only to be denied by Dorn's rearguard efforts and winger Shaun Ainscough spilled a clear-cut chance when he dropped Brett Kearney's high kick with the line beckoning.

The Bulls eventually drew level when second rower Olivier Elima, who had twice spilled the ball, this time clung onto Kearney's pass to touch down and Patrick Ah Van's conversion edged them in front.

Harlequins succumbed a second time in the last move of the half when hooker Matt Diskin took Marc Herbert's short pass to force his way over for a second try that made it 10-4.

The Londoners might have crumbled after conceding such ill-timed points but they hit back to draw level within three minutes of the restart when Pryce took Randall's pass and wrong-footed the Bradford defence to score his second try.

However, Bradford quickly reasserted their authority as Harlequins let their discipline slip and scrum half Herbert came into his own.

They regained the lead when Kearney gathered his fellow Australian's high kick to force his way over the line on 52 minutes.

Ah Van kicked the conversion and added what proved to be a crucial penalty to put his side two scores in front before centre Paul Sykes made sure of the win when he took Herbert's short pass to score Bradford's fourth try to make it 24-10.

Still Harlequins were not finished, though, and Pryce's mazy run set up the position for England centre Tony Clubb to go over for a third try before the former Bradford player completed his hat-trick two minutes from the end with Luke Gale kicking his third goal from four attempts.