Rugby League: Bradford take opportunities

Wakefield Trinity 8 Bradford Bulls 36

BRADFORD CONSOLIDATED their position on top of Super League last night, although they were tested for almost an hour by a Trinity side that would have given them greater trouble if they had found the finishing to match some of their approach work.

The Bulls ran away with it in the last quarter as Wakefield let themselves down with tackling and discipline that both became ragged.

Wakefield, with a run of three defeats threatening to obscure their earlier good work, made an enterprising start and got their reward with a try after nine minutes.

Tony Kemp's kick through looked well covered by Stuart Spruce, but his hesitation allowed Adrian Brunker to go past him and get a hand on the ball.

Once the League leaders got into their stride, however, they showed how opportunities should be accepted. Scott Naylor burst through a weak tackle from David March to send James Lowes over.

The Bulls' second try owed something to a dubious decision from the video referee which credited Steve McNamara with a 40/20 kick that gave them the put-in at the scrum. From the resulting pressure, Henry Paul served up the ball for Jamie Peacock and McNamara, taking over the kicking from the injured Paul Deacon, landed the first of his five goals.

Just before the hour, Lowes' pass from dummy-half found Jeremy Donougher and another example of poor tackling technique near the line gave him his first try of the season.

Bradford were firmly in control now and excellent work from Lowes, Paul and Naylor yielded a try for David Boyle. The handling was just as good in the move that ended with Spruce sending Phil Howlett away for a try on his full debut, before Lowes squirmed over four minutes from time.

Paul March's skidding kick produced a last-minute consolation for Songoro, but Trinity had failed to last the distance.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Kenward; Songoro, Brunker, Hughes, N Law; Kemp, Tomlinson; Stephenson, D March, Watene, Price, Fisher, Poching. Substitutes used: P March, McDonald, G Law, Jackson.

Bradford Bulls: Spruce, Pryce, Naylor, McAvoy, Howlett, H Paul, Deacon, Anderson, Lowes, McDermott, Boyle, Dwyer, McNamara. Substitutes used: Harmon, Donougher, Peacock, Sykes.

Referee: R Smith (Castleford).

n Leeds Rhinos were unconvincing in their 40-16 win against the Sheffield Eagles at Headingley last night but it took them into second place in the Super League. The win came with a heavy cost as their influential hooker, Lee Jackson, was taken to hospital with a suspected broken shoulder.