3 May 2021

HAVEN WIN MAKES IT THREE ON THE SPIN

BRADFORD Bulls recorded their third straight Betfred Championship victory with a battling 30-22 victory over Cumbrian outfit Whitehaven RLFC.

The Bulls went behind early on – with Andrew Bulman diving over in the corner for the hosts – but captain Steve Crossley channelled his inner half-back to break clear from 20 metres. 

Confidence grew in the away camp and slick attacking play saw Joe Brown and Brandon Pickersgill both breach the Haven line. 

Jessie Joe Parker reduced the arrears before Ebon Scurr’s rampaging effort re-established Bradford’s advantage. 

Crossley pounced on a loose ball for his second before two quickfire tries late on from Gary Charlton’s men. 

Head Coach John Kear named an unchanged line-up for the first time in 2021 after last week’s victory over local rivals Dewsbury Rams. 

After a quiet opening quarter, the home side found themselves a score to the good with Bulman profiting from a Bradford error to score. 

As Bradford grew into the game, they quickly levelled up the scores when Crossley dummied and darted from 20 metres for his first try of the campaign. 

Back-to-back penalties allowed the visitors to move their way up the pitch, with fast hands enabling Joe Brown to score his fourth try in four games. 

The first half try scoring was complete when Pickersgill was put through a gap to make his way over - putting Bradford three scores clear going into the break. 

A late penalty allowed Walmsley to post two Whitehaven points on the board to reduce the arrears. 

The home side started the second half as they did the first, scoring a well worked try through Parker.

With the gap narrowed to eight, Scurr found space to barge his way over, scoring his second try of the season. 

Captain Crossley grabbed his second of the game, pouncing on an error to touch down and wrap up Bradford’s third victory in a row. 

With the game coming to a close, Whitehaven narrowed the scores with two late tries, through Lee Mossop and Aiden Roden. 

WHITEHAVEN RLFC – Lachlan Walmsley, Andrew Bulman, Chris Taylor, Jessie-Joe Parker, Jason Mossop, Karl Dixon, Nikau Williams, Andrew Dawson, Aiden Roden, Tom Walker, Connor Holliday, Ellis Graham, Tom Wilkinson.

INTERCHANGES – Liam Cooper, James Newton, Ronan Michael, Karl Olstrom.

TRIES – Bulman, Parker, Mossop, Roden. 

GOALS – Walmsley 2/4

BRADFORD BULLS - Brandon Pickersgill, Joe Brown, Rhys Evans, Ross Oakes, David Foggin-Johnston, Jordan Lilley, Danny Brough, Levy Nzoungou, Thomas Doyle, Steve Crossley, Brad England, Aaron Murphy, Ben Evans. 

INTERCHANGES – Anthony Walker, Ebon Scurr, Dan Fleming, Adam Rooks. 

TRIES – Crossley (2) Brown, Pickersgill, Scurr. 

GOALS – Brough 5/5

 

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