BULLS TAME LIONS FOR FOURTH WIN ON THE SPIN

BRADFORD Bulls made it four wins on the spin with a 23-22 victory over Swinton Lions - Jordan Lilley proving to be the match winner with a second-half drop goal.

Nico Rizelli went over early on for the home side before Thomas Doyle and David Foggin-Johnston notched as the visitors ramped up the pressure. 

John Kear’s side then hit back however, with Tom Doyle and David Foggin-Johnston touching down to turn the tide for the visitors. 

With the Bulls rampant, Danny Brough got in on the act before a Luis Roberts response on the hooter for Swinton.

Brandon Pickersgill turned scorer from provider early on in the second half – with Lilley’s drop goal taking Bradford’s lead to 13. 

Two quick Swinton scores – through Rhodri Lloyd and Jack Hansen- set up a nervy finale but John Kear’s charges held firm to go four from five at the start of the season. 

Head Coach John Kear made two changes to his side - with Brad Gallagher and Joe Burton replacing the injured Levy Nzoungou and Brad England respectively.

Swinton started the stronger and made their pressure pay through St Helens loanee Rizelli. 

Bradford produced a quick response and smart play from Doyle reduced the arrears – the Number Nine spotting a gap to score his first try of the season. 

Great work from Pickersgill then allowed Foggin-Johnston to score as Bradford found their rhythm. 

Brough was the next to benefit from Pickersgill’s offensive efforts – the half-back touching down under the posts following another break. 

Roberts then found a gap on the hooter to race away and reduce the arrears despite Bradford’s dominance in the second quarter. 

Full-back Pickersgill then found himself on the end of a break – taking Aaron Murphy’s pass home to extend the visitors’ advantage. 

Jordan Lilley then slotted his second drop goal of the season to add another point to the scoreboard. 

With the game coming to a close, Swinton reduced the arrears to just one point with tries through Lloyd and Hansen but Bradford held out for the win.

SWINTON LIONS – Geronimo Doyle, Mike Butt, Mitch Cox, Nico Rizelli, Luis Roberts, Martyn Ridyard, Jack Hansen, Louis Brogan, Luke Waterworth, Sam Luckley, Rhodri Lloyd, Deane Meadows, Will Hope. 

INTERCHANGES – Paul Nash, Billy Brickhill, Sam Brooks, Tom Spencer. 

TRIES – Rizelli, Roberts, Hanson, Lloyd. 

GOALS – Ridyard 3/4 

BRADFORD BULLS – Brandon Pickersgill, Joe Brown, Rhys Evans, Ross Oakes, David Foggin-Johnston, Danny Brough, Jordan Lilley, Steve Crossley, Thomas Doyle, Ben Evans, Bradley Gallagher, Aaron Murphy, Dan Fleming.

INTERCHANGES – Joe Burton, Ebon Scurr, Ant Walker, Adam Rooks.

TRIES – Doyle, Foggin-Johnston, Brough, Pickersgill.

GOALS – Brough 3/4 

DROP GOALS – Lilley 1/1