A PAIR of late tries provided some deserved consolation as Bradford Bulls fell to a 50-24 defeat at the hands of Warrington Wolves.

In his first game in charge, James Lowes saw his side make slow starts to the first and second halves, which ultimately proved the difference at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Despite conceding a trio of early tries, Bradford weathered the Wolves' storm and battled back bravely before the break.

Trailing 16-6, the Bulls had good reason to believe they could still pull off a fightback.

But it was four tries – scored in the opening nine minutes of the second half – which effectively sealed victory for Tony Smith's side.

Ben Harrison grabbed Warrington's first try of the afternoon and the hosts found themselves 10 points clear as former Bull Ryan Atkins touched down.

Gareth O'Brien, who was instrumental for the home side, was next to score, making it 16-0.

Returning full-back Brett Kearney hit back for Bradford on the stroke of half-time, with Luke Gale converting.

But hopes of a comeback faded fast after the interval as the hosts hit Lowes' side with a quartet of quick-fire tries, courtesy of Joel Monaghan (2), Ben Westwood and Gene Ormsby.

Adrian Purtell responded just shy of the hour mark, prior to a Rhys Evans response.

And it was the Bulls who finished the stronger, bagging a pair of late tries via Tom Olbison and Jay Pitts. Gale landed four goals from as many attempts.

WOLVES: Matthew Russell, Gene Ormsby, Joel Monaghan, Ryan Atkins, Rhys Evans, Stefan Ratchford, Gareth O'Brien, Roy Asotasi, Micky Higham, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix, Ben Currie, Ben Harrison. INTERCHANGES: Anthony England, Glenn Riley, Brad Dwyer, George King.

TRIES: Harrison (5), Atkins (8), O'Brien (13, 66), Monaghan (42, 48), Westwood (46), Ormsby (52), Evans (70)

GOALS: Ratchford 7/9

BULLS: Brett Kearney, Elliot Kear, Adrian Purtell, Adam Henry, Matty Blythe, Lee Gaskell, Luke Gale, Manase Manuokafoa, Matt Diskin, Adam Sidlow, Jay Pitts, Tom Olbison, Danny Addy. INTERCHANGES: Chev Walker, Adam O'Brien, James Donaldson, Jordan Baldwinson.

TRIES: Kearney (35), Purtell (56), Olbison (75), Pitts (78)

GOALS: Gale 4/4

REFEREE: Matt Thomason

ATTENDANCE: 9,003

HALF-TIME: 16-6

FULL-TIME: 50-24