DROP GOAL SEALS DERBY DAY SPOILS

JORDAN Lilley slotted a dramatic late drop-goal to hand the Bradford Bulls a stunning 27-26 victory over fierce rivals Halifax Panthers last night.

The visitors raced into an early lead with James Saltonstall and Scott Grix both touching down with the home side being punished for indiscipline.

John Kear’s men roared back into the contest however with Lilley – who returned after a two-match suspension – and Dan Fleming – a former Halifax star – both touching down before the break.

Brandon Pickersgill and David Foggin-Johnston gave Bradford a two-score lead before tries from Gadwin Springer and Kevin Larroyer set up a dramatic finale.

Danny Brough brought the scores level before Lilley capped his return with a late one-pointer to seal the derby spoils and the first league points of 2021.

Head coach Kear brought Lilley and Foggin-Johnston back into the fold for their first appearances of the season and the duo did not disappoint.

But it would be the visitors, fresh off the back of their 41-14 win over London Broncos who started the stronger.

A Connor Robinson penalty preceded Saltonstall’s score – when a high, hanging kick from half-back Harris proved difficult to deal with.

The Panthers’ tails were up and with Bradford temporarily reduced to 12 men – Grix darted his way through a gap to extend the visitors’ advantage.

The Bulls came fighting back and showed tremendous character to get back into the contest – with 24-unanswered points being launched by Lilley’s acrobatic effort in the corner.

With the contest becoming fiercely fought with penalties aplenty, former Fax player Fleming narrowed the gap with a barnstorming effort from close range.

Bradford raced out of the starting blocks at the start of the second half and after a Brough penalty levelled the scoring ledger, Pickersgill showed four Halifax men a clean set of heels to give Bradford their first lead of the afternoon.

The rampant hosts then went further ahead with DFJ marking his return to the side with a score on the back of great work by Lilley.

The visitors would refuse to lay down however and quickfire scores from Springer and Larroyer re-established their lead.

But the left boot of Brough brought the scores level again – before a sense of déjà vu.

26-26. Halifax the opponents. The ball is in the hands of Jordan Lilley, you know the rest.

BRADFORD BULLS – Brandon Pickersgill, Joe Brown, Rhys Evans, Ross Oakes, David Foggin-Johnston, Danny Brough, Jordan Lilley, Levy Nzoungou, Thomas Doyle, Steve Crossley, Adam Rooks, Aaron Murphy, Ben Evans. INTERCHANGES: Billy Jowitt, Ebon Scurr, Dan Fleming, Brad England. 

TRIES: Lilley, Fleming, Pickersgill, Foggin-Johnston

GOALS: Brough 5/6

DROP-GOALS: Lilley

HALIFAX PANTHERS – Scott Grix, Nick Rawsthorne, Greg Worthington, Zack McComb, James Saltonstall, Liam Harris, Connor Robinson, Elliot Morris, Brandon Moore, Daniel Murray, Matt Garside, Paul Brearley, Kevin Larroyer. INTERCHANGES: Amir Borough, Gadwin Springer, Will Calcott, Ed Barber.

TRIES: Saltonstall, Grix, Springer, Larroyer

GOALS: Robinson 5/5