Bradford Bulls' gallant bid to make the Stobart Super League play-offs ended in France as a victory for Catalan Dragons ensured Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will finish in the top eight.

Having fought the odds all season owing to the off-the-field troubles at the club, Bradford went into today`s game knowing that because of a six-point deduction they had to win and hope Wakefield then lost against Salford City Reds.

However, with the Dragons running in 10 tries, Wakefield`s result became irrelevant, with Bradford`s plucky attempt coming to nothing.

Were it not for the deduction, issued to them after they entered administration in July, Bradford would have made the grade by some distance.

Their season is now over, though, and the focus will shift to the future of coach Mick Potter - who worked for free for two months after being made redundant - and a number of leading players.

Wakefield`s reward - barring a huge points difference swing - is a visit to Leeds Rhinos next weekend, while Catalan, fourth-placed finishers, will take on Wigan Warriors.

It was an emotional afternoon for the French side too, with the game coming a day after coach Trent Robinson had announced he was leaving to take over the Sydney Roosters.

Whether that was a factor or not, Catalan were shocking in the opening stages and were 10-0 down in the blink of an eye as Michael Platt took Luke Gale`s pass to go in, with Jarrod Sammut not far behind him off a Jason Crookes ball.

But Gale conceded a penalty to give Catalan position and Clint Greenshields made the most of it, taking in Scott Dureau`s pass to cross, before Sammut dropped Dureau`s bomb and let Vincent Duport in.

That was it for Bradford`s challenge as Ian Henderson and Dureau linked up to put Setaimata Sa over the line, while Louis Anderson got in on the act when he wriggled his way out of a tackle.

Sammut then got his second when he supported Keith Lulia`s run, and the livewire half-back had a first-half hat-trick when he chased his own chip, celebrating by grounding the ball as part of a forward roll.

Catalan had the measure of the Bulls, though, and blew them away after the break, with Steve Menzies going 60 metres to score against his old club and then Daryl Millard touching down in a tight corner.

Greenshields and Dureau stretched things out further - the latter going the distance after a poor Brett Kearney pass - before Sammut added his fourth when he picked Dureau`s pocket.

It was Greenshields who had the final word, wrapping up his hat-trick when he pounced on a loose ball following Dureau`s kick.