BULLS TAME LIONS TO REACH SEMI

Bradford Bulls booked a place in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup semi-finals with a hard fought 21-12 win over Swinton Lions at Bartercard Odsal Stadium this afternoon.

Eamon O’Carroll welcomed back Lee Gaskell into the fold – as well as naming loan recruits Corey Johnson and Keanan Brand in his matchday squad. 

The Bulls got off to the perfect start when a cut out pass from Johnson, on the Swinton line, fed Chester Butler for a barge over. 

Defences were on top throughout an attritional first half, but Bradford found themselves with a temporary numerical disadvantage with Joe Arundel sent to the sin bin. 

The Bulls extended their lead however, when the influential Jordan Lilley kicked a drop goal to nudge Bradford further ahead. 

Swinton did respond before the break when Jake Spedding crossed on the back of a set play from a scrum. 

The second half began with both sides trying to force the issue, and Lilley was soon contributing again to extend Bradford’s advantage. 

A set play from a scrum again led to a try, with Lilley dropping the shoulder and darting through a gap in the Lions’ defence. 

Swinton set up a nervy finale with a score from Dan Abram with just ten minutes left. 

But the Bulls held firm and a familiar face sealed the spoils – Kieran Gill pouncing on a grubber from Lilley for a fourth try in five games. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Aidan McGowan, Jayden Myers, Keanan Brand, Kieran Gill, Jorge Taufua, Lee Gaskell, Jordan Lilley, Michael Lawrence, Corey Johnson, Daniel Smith, Joe Arundel, Chester Butler, John Davies. INTERCHANGES: Sam Hallas, Keven Appo, Dan Okoro, George Flanagan. 18^th MAN: Billy Jowitt. 

TRIES: Butler, Lilley, Gill

GOALS: Lilley 4/4

DROP GOAL: Lilley