MATCH REPORT | BRADFORD VS WIDNES

Bradford Bulls fell to a 25-12 defeat at the hands of Widnes Vikings yesterday afternoon.

The visitors started fast and found their way over, with Lewis Else and Deon Cross scoring for Widnes.

Ant Walker replied for Bradford but a leaping effort from Jaydon Hatton preceded a drop goal from Matty Smith to re-establish the Vikings’ advantage at the break.

The Bulls raced out of the blocks and a superb ball from Billy Jowitt sent Ebon Scurr crashing over. 

But soon after Adam Lawton barged his way over to seal a third defeat of the season for Bradford. 

Head Coach John Kear handed a full debut to Jowitt and he impressed early on, breaking the line on a number of occasions.

It was to be the visitors who were to find themselves in front however, as Else took advantage of fast play to race away underneath the posts. 

Widnes then further extended their advantage, with Cross supporting a break on the right edge to score. 

Walker then crashed over from close range to bring Bradford onto the scoreboard and within six. 

After pressure on the Widnes line, a penalty allowed Widnes to move further up the field and turn defence into attack, a kick to the corner caused issues and Hatton touched down. 

There was time for one more Widnes point before the break with Smith adding a drop goal from 30 metres. 

After the break, a bullet pass from Jowitt allowed Scurr to touch down, bringing Bradford back into the game. 

Widnes then sealed the game soon after as Lawton took a short ball to crash over, condemning Bradford to defeat. 

BRADFORD BULLS – Brandon Pickersgill, Joe Burton, Ross Oakes, Rhys Evans, Joe Brown, Jordan Lilley, Billy Jowitt, Steve Crossley, Sam Hallas, Ben Evans, Aaron Murphy, Brad Gallagher, Dan Fleming.

INTERCHANGES – Ebon Scurr, Anthony Walker, Brad England, Adam Rooks.  

TRIES 

Walker, Scurr 

GOALS 

Lilley 2/2

WIDNES VIKINGS – Jack Owens, Jayden Hatton, Lloyd Roby, Steve Tyrer, Dean Cross, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Paul Clough, Lewis Else, Kenny Baker, Josh Wilde, Adam Lawton, Matty Smith. 

INTERCHANGES – Matt Cook, William Tilleke, Oliver Brookes, Owen Buckley. 

TRIES 

Else, Cross, Lawton, Hatton. 

GOALS 

Tyrer 4/4 

DROP GOALS 

SMITH 1/1