LAST GASP HOLMES TRY SEALS WIN

Bradford Bulls returned to winning ways in dramatic fashion with a last-minute effort from Tom Holmes sealing a 14-12 victory over Widnes Vikings.

Tries from David Foggin-Johnston and birthday boy Ben Blackmore would mean the Bulls were competitive in the encounter, before Tom Holmes would score with Bradford’s final attacking set to send the Odsal crowd wild.

Head coach Mark Dunning would make three changes to the side that started the 32-16 defeat to York Knights, bringing Jordan Baldwinson, Chester Butler and Fenton Rogers into the starting line up.

Keven Appo and Masi Matongo would both make their debuts from the bench, as the Bulls looked to bounce back from their first defeat of the season.

Bradford’s first real attacking set would come on the ten-minute mark, after a six-again call allowed the Bulls to mount pressure on the visitors’ line. Dec Patton would jab a kick through for Foggin-Johnston to chase, but the winger was unable to reach the ball.

The visitors then thought they had opened the scoring when Adam Lawton crashed over the line from short range, but referee Ben Thaler ruled that the forward was held up by the Bulls defence.

Minutes later, Bradford would get their reward for their stellar defensive efforts, as Kieran Gill’s pass allowed David Foggin-Johnston to go over for his second try in as many games. A fantastic scoot out of dummy half by George Roby initially gave the Bulls good field position, before Gill combined excellently with his winger.

Tom Holmes would be shown a yellow card after a scuffle on the Bradford line and, after a penalty for a dangerous tackle, the Vikings would make their man advantage count through Shane Grady, who strolled over the line after a short ball.

The Bulls would go into half time trailing 4-6, with both defences on top in what was proving to be a closely fought encounter.

Tom Holmes would re-enter the action a few minutes into the second period, and would play a hand in Bradford’s next try, firing a bullet pass out wide into the hands of Ben Blackmore, the birthday boy scoring his first try of the season.

A high shot then allowed Kieran Dixon a chance to kick for goal. His kick was accurate, levelling the game at 8-8 heading into the final quarter.

On the sixty-minute mark, Widnes would take the lead through Adam Lawton, who bulldozed his way over the line from short range, despite the attention of multiple Bulls’ defenders. Kieran Dixon’s kick was wide, meaning Bradford needed a sole try to draw level.

Both defences continued to shine, with Bradford unable to make any real inroads at the Widnes line. That was until a cross field kick was dropped by Widnes winger Kieran Dixon, which would allow the Bulls one final attacking set.

With only seconds to spare, Tom Holmes would crash over the line from short range, much to the delight of the Bradford fans in attendance. Dec Patton’s conversion was accurate, making the score 14-12 with seconds to spare.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s huge match against Toulouse Olympique at the Odsal Stadium, as Bradford Bulls look to build on a resilient victory.

Bradford Bulls: Tom Holmes, Ben Blackmore, Joe Arundel, Kieran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Dec Patton, Jordan Lilley, Jordan Baldwinson, George Flanagan Snr, Fenton Rogers, Brad England, Chester Butler, Bodene Thompson.

Interchanges: Keven Appo, George Roby, AJ Wallace, Myles Lawford.

Tries – David Foggin-Johnston, Ben Blackmore, Tom Holmes

Goals – Dec Patton 1/3

Yellow Cards – Tom Holmes

Widnes Vikings: Jack Owens, Ryan Millar, Matt Fleming, Joe Edge, Kieran Dixon, Danny Craven, Joe Lyons, Anthony Walker, Matty Fozzard, Kyle Amor, Shane Grady, Oliver Davies, Liam Bent.

Interchanges: Aaron Brown, Callum Field, Lewis Hatton, Adam Lawton.

Tries – Shane Grady, Adam Lawton

Goals – Kieran Dixon 2/3