ACADEMY DEFEAT LEEDS AT THE GRATTAN STADIUM
Two tries in five minutes from Loose Forward James Donaldson, helped an edgy Bulls to complete the double over the Rhinos with a 44-30 win at the Grattan Stadium.
A very close fought tussle, because neither side could hold onto the ball, ensued for the first twenty five minutes before Leeds, against the run of play had a converted try. The Bulls hit back immediately when, after running the ball on the sixth tackle, Tom Olbison broke through some powder puff tackling and crossed too far out for the conversion. However, the Bulls lost the ball early in the next set and Leeds capitalised with another converted try.
Two tries in six minutes though, gave the Bulls a half time lead. Firstly Rob Hawthorne went in for a try and then Liam Mackay crossed. Joe Wardle converted Hawthorne's try and that gave the Bulls a 14- 12 lead but they were lucky not to suffer a dismissal as Hooker Rob Senior became involved in a fight right on the half time whistle. The Referee sent both Senior and the Leeds Full Back, Jimmy Watson, to the Sin Bin, much to the annoyance of the Leeds bench, who though Senior should have been shown a Red Card.
The second half saw the Bulls in a more determined mood and they quickly scored a try through Joe Wardle and the first of James Donaldson's two tries saw them lead 26-12, Donaldson's quick turn of speed and his magic feet opening the way for the try. He repeated the trick a few minutes later after the Rhinos had scored a try from another dropped ball and penalty conceded by the Bulls.
At 32-18 it looked all over for the Rhinos but they fought back and scored back to back tries to make the score 32-30 to the home side. With The Rhinos inspired only a great tackle from Wardle prevented Jamel Chisholm getting the ball down in the corner and Leeds were made to pay dearly for their failure.
The Bulls played out the next set and kicked and as Leeds looked for a way through, Scrum Half Liam Kay intercepted and strolled over with Donaldson adding the extras. Right on the stroke of full time Kyle Williamson picked up another dropped Leeds pass and raced a way for a forty metre try to give the Bulls a deserved if somewhat edgy victory to complete the double having won at Stanningley in May.
Bradford Bulls: Ben Hellewell; Kyle Williamson, Liam McKay, Rob Hawthorne, Matt Harding; Joe Wardle, Liam Kay; George Burgess, Adam O'Brien, Tom Lillycrop, Danny Addy, Tom Olbison, James Donaldson. Subs. Gareth Hynes, Jake Senior, Lewis Reed, Tom Burgess.
Bulls scorers: Tries: Donaldson 2, Olbison, Mackay, Wardle, Kay, Williamson. Goals: Wardle 4, Donaldson 2