News
ACADEMY EDGED OUT IN THRILLER
The Bulls Academy went down 22-23 to Castleford Tigers in a thrilling game at the Jungle last night.
The game ultimately hinged on two drop goal attempts, one for the Tigers, which went through the posts and one from Bulls Stand Off Joe Wardle, which hit the upright!
The Bulls stated well but mistakes crept into their play and they found themselves trailing 16-0 at the break.
Basil Richards' Half Time team talk saw the Bulls change several things and they were quickly back in the game when Scrum Half Liam Kay followed up his own kick to score. Wardle converted and he hit a magnificent touchline conversion to Matt Harding's try in the corner straight from the restart.
The Bulls were certainly on top now and George Burgess showed great support play in the middle of the field to romp twenty metres for a try, which, with Wardle's conversion, gave the Bulls the lead at 18-16.
A mistake from Tom Lillycrop on the first tackle deep in Castleford territory saw the home side set up position on the Bulls line. The Bulls were forced the drop out and in the following set poor line defence saw the Tigers force their way over to retake the lead at 18-22. Back came the Bulls and Man of the Match Ben Hellewell scored too wide out for Wardle's' conversion and the scores were level again as the game entered the final three minutes.
Then came the Drop Goal attempts and ultimately the victory to the Tigers in a thrilling encounter that well matched the 36 - 36 draw between the two sides at the Grattan Stadium in April.
Bradford Bulls: Ben Hellewell; Kyle Williamson, Liam McKay, Rob Hawthorne, Matt Harding; Joe Wardle, Liam Kay; George Burgess, Adam O'Brien, Tom Lillycrop, Matt Bailey, Tom Olbison, Danny Addy. Subs. Gareth Hynes, Jake Senior, Lewis Reed, Tom Burgess.
Bulls scorers: Tries: Kay, Harding, G Burgess, Hellewell. Goals: Wardle 3,