BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN WHITEHAVEN

Bradford Bulls returned to winning ways with a 34-22 victory over Whitehaven RLFC – where a first half blitz saw Joe Burton score a brace!

The young winger – drafted in as a late replacement for David Foggin-Johnston - found himself over twice early on, either side of an Elliot Kear score, as Bradford took total control. 

Dion Aiye crashed over for Whitehaven before Jordan Lilley and Thomas Doyle’s close-range efforts handed Bradford a healthy lead. 

After the interval, Ebon Scurr crashed over to extend the lead. 

Whitehaven then went over for three quick-fire tries, as they battled back, but it wasn’t enough as Bradford claimed the win. 

Mark Dunning took charge of his first game in interim charge, welcoming back Ebon Scurr and Ant Walker into the fold.

Burton, three minutes into his first appearance of the season, took advantage of an error to score in the corner. 

More clinical attacking followed as Patton’s kick across saw Kear stroll in on the right-wing before Burton grabbed a second on the back of a slick flowing move. 

Aiye darted over for Haven, after Scurr was sent for ten minutes for a dangerous tackle. 

Lilley then took matters into his own hands, however as he stepped the Whitehaven defence and flew over for a pressure-relieving score. 

Hooker Doyle then caught Whitehaven napping again, scoring under the posts. 

After the break, Scurr used his considerable size to barge through the Haven defence, Patton adding another from the boot. 

Whitehaven, then needing a score, went over through Aiye and Walker as they turned the tide.

They found another score late on as Williams caused problems, but it wasn’t to be enough as Bradford ran out winners in Cumbria for the second time this season. 

WHITEHAVEN RLFC – George Collins, Andrew Bulman, Josh Martin, Marcus Walker, Harvey Barron, Dion Aiye, Nikau Williams, Tom Walker, Callum Phillips, Guy Graham, Ryan King, Liam Cooper, Tom Wilkinson. 

INTERCHANGES – Liam McAvoy, Andrew Dawson, Jake Bradley, Kieran Hudson. 

TRIES 

Aiye 2, Walker, Cooper

GOALS 

Williams 3/4

BRADFORD BULLS – Elliot Hall, Elliot Kear, Matty Dawson-Jones, Kieran Gill, Joe Burton, Dec Patton, Jordan Lilley, Jordan Baldwinson, Thomas Doyle, Steve Crossley, Sam Walters, AJ Wallace, Sam Hallas. 

INTERCHANGES – Ben Evans, Samy Kibula, Ant Walker, Ebon Scurr. 

TRIES 

Burton 2, Kear, Lilley, Doyle, Scurr 

GOALS 

Patton 5/6