BRAVE BRADFORD BOW OUT FOLLOWING TRINITY THRILLER

DESPITE a brave, battling Bradford display – John Kear’s side bow out of the Coral Challenge Cup following a 17-14 defeat at Super League outfit Wakefield Trinity this evening.

Bradford raced out of the starting blocks and went inches away from the game’s first score on just three minutes before their dominance was rewarded when Jordan Lilley stepped over. 

Wakefield levelled proceedings soon after through Joe Westerman – who went over at the second attempt before Jacob Miller’s late drop-goal.

Rowan Milnes kicked a penalty soon after the restart to hand Bradford back the advantage before converting his own try – collecting his own kick – to give Bradford a two-score lead.

Wakefield reduced arrears heading into the final quarter through Alex Walker before Reece Lyne’s try gave the hosts a slender lead that they maintained to seal the spoils.

John Kear welcomed Evan Hodgson and David Foggin-Johnston back into his matchday line-up – with Rhys Evans unavailable due to his loan terms and Liam Kirk absent following his concussion withdrawal last week.

Matty Dawson-Jones went close for Kear’s side in the opening stages after some enterprising attacking play cut open the hosts.

Lilley then himself nearly got Bradford on the board when he was halted with what looked a high shot as the visitors enjoyed the brighter opening quarter.

The lively half-back did register the game’s first points soon after – stepping and slaloming his way over the line.

The home side hit back soon after – Danny Brough feeding Westerman who despite spilling the ball, regathered to lock the scores up.

With seconds left of the half, Miller slotted a drop-goal to hand the home side their first lead of the evening – with the slenderest of margins.

Back-to-back penalties got Bradford back within scoring range of the Wakefield line – Milnes obliging with a shot from the tee.

The Bulls – buoyed by that penalty – went straight into Wakefield territory and extended their lead.

Milnes kicked in behind the home defence – his kick rebounding off the post pads – the half-back reacting quickest to touch down.

The home side in the ascendancy got into the lead with ten minutes remaining when Tupou and Lyne combined to secure Wakefield’s berth in the sixth round.

WAKEFIELD TRINITY: Alex Walker, Bill Tupou, Reece Lynne, Ryan Atkins, Tom Johnstone, Jacob Miller, Tinirau ARona, Kyle Wood, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jay Pitts, Matty Ashurt, Joe Westerman. INTERCHANGES: David Fifita, Chris Green, George King, Josh Wood.

TRIES: Westerman, Walker, Lyne 

GOALS: Brough 2/3

DROP-GOALS: Miller

BRADFORD BULLS: Brandon Pickersgill, David Foggin-Johnston, Matty Dawson-Jones, Ross Oakes, Joe Brown, Rowan Milnes, Jordan Lilley, Anthony England, George Flanagan, Steve Crossley, Adam Rooks, Brad Gallagher, Sam Hallas. INTERCHANGES: Levy Nzoungou, Thomas Doyle, Ebon Scurr, Evan Hodgson.

TRIES: Lilley, Milnes

GOALS: Milnes 3/3