SCHOLARSHIP SEE OFF THUNDER CHALLENGE

BRADFORD Bulls Scholarship beat Newcastle Thunder last night 38-22 to record their first win of the 2021 season!

The visitors took an early two-score lead but Ryan Hunkin’s side hit back in style with three quickfire scores through Kelby Hayward, Marcos Goncalves and Todd Horner.

Newcastle responded but the dancing feet of George Flanagan re-established Bradford’s advantage heading towards the break.

Bradford raced out of the starting blocks after the interval and Charlie Barrett added to the home side’s lead before Flanagan stepped his way through the Newcastle defence. 

Hayward and Barrett both scored their tries of the evening before Abdul Osman-Conteh raced away to seal an impressive night’s work for the Under-17s. 

Despite a difficult start to proceedings, the Young Bulls set about gaining a foothold in the contest and a slick move on the right edge sent Hayward over. 

With the wind firmly in Bradford sails, Harry Gray put Goncalves through a gap before a lovely cut out pass allowed Horner to touch down. 

Thunder hit back with their third try but having pounced upon a loose ball, the impressive Flanagan stepped past four would-be defenders to score in the left corner. 

From the restart, Newcastle coughed up possession and Flanagan’s pass put Barrett over for his second score. 

Flanagan turned scorer soon after having spotted a gap in the visitors’ defence before Hayward once again benefitted from neat hands on Bradford’s right edge. 

Osman-Conteh then got in on the act, racing clear from 80 metres on a kick return before a late consolation score from Thunder. 

BRADFORD BULLS SCHOLARSHIP: George Flanagan, Kelby Hayward, Todd Horner, Charlie Barrett, George West, Josh Perkins, Harry Gray, James Ambler, Dylan Jackson, Kyle Andrews, Marcos Goncalves, Philip Castro-Chithunda, Joe Kellett. INTERCHANGES: Bailey Hitchman, Kaiss Hussain, Joe Moriarty, Abdul Osman-Conteh, Logan Ingham, Callum Holmes. 

TRIES: Flanagan (2), Hayward (2), Horner, Barrett (2), Osman-Conteh, Goncalves