It is 46 years since Bradford Bulls lost ten games in a row, they were in the guise of Bradford Northern in those days and it led to them going out of business. This won't happen this year but their chances of making the play offs are dwindling every week
writes James Chestney.
The Robins came into the game hurting after their ‘Hull derby’ defeat the week before and this week coach Justin Morgan gave youth a real chance. Sam Latus, Frankie Mariano and Scott Spaven were all named in the side but were matched by the experience of Clint Newton and Michael Dobson.
The home side got off to a great start with winger Peter Fox scoring the first of a hat-trick of tries off a Dobson pass. Andy Lynch then had a try chalked off for the Bulls for a knock on before a Scott Murrell try and Dobson conversion made it 10-0 to the Robins.
Rovers continued to attack the Bulls and got rewarded when Joel Clinton crashed under the posts off a Ben Fisher pass. Dobson added the conversion from in front of the posts and the home side looked to be cruising at 16-0.
Finally the Bulls were able to get some points on the board when on 24 minutes and on the back of a drop out Stuart Reardon scored in the corner. Heath L’Estrange and Elliott Whitehead combined for Reardon to go in at the corner but too far out for a Danny Addy conversion.
The half hour signalled the first try of the game for Clint Newton who charged onto a Dobson pass to go in but the Bulls replied when Vinnie Finigan scored after a Steve Menzies- Dave Halley combination. Dobson and Addy both failed to add the extras as Rovers led 20-8 at half-time.
A Whitehead knock on a minute into the second half saw the Dobson- Newton act two as the second row forward cut through to score. The same two players then gave Fox his second of the game and with Dobson converting both Rovers were 32-8 in front.
Just before the hour a Scott Wheeldon break saw the prop break through and for Ben Galea to find Shaun Briscoe in support. The full back even dodged referee Thierry Alibert on his way to the line for another Dobson conversion.
The Bulls did hit back with two tries of their own when L’Estrange provided Craig Kopczak with a try before going in himself. Addy landed both conversion attempts and there looked to be some hope for the visitors.
But any hopes of a real revival were quite simply dashed when Fox took a Spaven 20 metre tap to cut through and push off Halley in a desperate tackle. He got to the line before Michael Platt just as Michael Platt was able to grab hold of him.
Platt did have a hand in his sides’ final try twelve minutes from time when he went close to the line and passed the ball through his legs. He then kicked it back for Finigan to pick up and nip over in the corner. Halley tried to convert the try but only hit the post with the attempt.
Dobson added a drop goal ten minutes from time and when Chris Nero lost the ball Briscoe collected to race in unopposed. Briscoe tried to bring up the half century in the last minute but it was wide of the mark even though the victory for Rovers wasn’t.
