TOULOUSE END UNBEATEN RUN

Bradford Bulls’ unbeaten run came to an end in the scorching heat of Toulouse as the French side emerged 52-14 victors.

The home side raced out of the starting blocks when Benjamin Laguerre touched down on the back of a powerplay move. 

The Bulls began to battle back into proceedings but it would be Toulouse who extended their advantage at the end of the first quarter. 

The influential Australian Josh Ralph scooted his way past the Bradford defence for his first of the afternoon, with the visitors already one interchange down due to Jordan Baldwinson’s injury. 

Appo was the next to leave the field carrying an injury and things went from bad to worse when Guy Armitage crashed over.

The Bulls would get on the scoreboard prior to the break – when quick hands following an error sent Ben Blackmore over. 

Toulouse began the second half in the same vein they begun the first, Armitage grabbing his second of the game. 

Back came Bradford and it was the man on his (second) debut Lee Gaskell, who reduced the arrears. He combined well with centre Joe Arundel, latching onto a kick from the latter to mark his return to the club in style. 

Ralph then got his second with the home side then extending their lead further when breaking from deep as a Bradford attack broke down. 

The Bulls were then reduced to 12 men when Brad England was sent off and the French side made the numerical advantage count with back-to-back tries.

There was some brief respite when Kieran Gill touched down to celebrate his new contract with a try, before a Laguerre try on the hooter sealing a fourth straight win for Toulouse. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Jack Walker, Ben Blackmore, Joe Arundel, Kieran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Lee Gaskell, Dec Patton, Michael Lawrence, Jordan Lilley, Jordan Baldwinson, Chester Butler, Bodene Thompson, Keven Appo. INTERCHANGES: Brad England, Ebon Scurr, James Segeyaro, Fenton Rogers.

TRIES: Gill, Blackmore, Gaskell

GOALS: Patton 1/3