SIX-TRY BULLS RUMBLE THUNDER

Bradford Bulls ran in six tries in the Toon to defeat Newcastle Thunder 36-12 yesterday evening – with David Foggin-Johnston and George Flanagan both scoring doubles.

A fast start saw Steve Crossley and David Foggin-Johnston both cross for first-half efforts – either side of a Jordan Lilley penalty. 

The home side responded with a quickfire double before the break – Jack Johnson and Kieran Gill tries reducing the deficit. 

Bradford set about restoring their advantage after the interval – with Adam Rooks and Foggin-Johnston’s second handing the visitors breathing space. 

George Flanagan then got in on the act, with a ‘show and go’ double to hand the Bulls an impressive away day victory. 

Head Coach John Kear made two changes to the side the beat Halifax, welcoming back Ben Evans and Adam Rooks, with Brad England a late withdrawal due to illness. 

Bradford controlled proceedings from the off and when Ant Walker found a gap in the Newcastle defence – Steve Crossley was on hand to finish the move for his fourth try of the season. 

Lilley, then slotted two over after a Thunder infringement from bang in front. 

Confusion among the Thunder back line after a high kick from Lilley then allowed Foggin-Johnston to touch down, with Lilley adding the extras for a fourteen-point lead. 

That lead, however, would be cut to two shortly before the break, with Johnson and Gill both scoring after stoppages. 

Bradford started the second half in typically fast fashion, as Rooks found his way over from close range. 

Foggin-Johnston then flew over in the corner, his second of the match from a looping Pickersgill pass. 

The game was secure soon after, through a double from Flanagan as he saw space to show and go, twice as Bradford cross for six tries to defeat Newcastle Thunder and cement their play-off place.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER TRIES 

Johnson, Gill 

GOALS 

Woods (2) 

BRADFORD BULLS TRIES 

Crossley, Foggin-Johnston (2), Rooks, Flanagan (2) 

GOALS 

Lilley 5/6 

PENALTY GOALS 

Lilley 1/1 

NEWCASTLE THUNDER – Callum Turner, Jack Johnson, Kieren Gill, Sam Halsall, Alex Clegg, Josh Woods, Matty Wright, Nathan Wilde, Bob Beswick, Ted Chapelhow, Ukuma Ta’ai, Matty Nicholson, Connor Bailey. 

INTERCHANGES – Liam McAvoy, Jake Anderson, Evan Simons, Sam Wilde. 

BRADFORD BULLS – Brandon Pickersgill, David Foggin-Johnston, Ross Oakes, Rhys Evans, Reece Hamlett, Joe Brown, Jordan Lilley, Anthony Walker, Tom Doyle, Steve Crossley, Aaron Murphy, Adam Rooks, Sam Hallas. 

INTERCHANGES – Ben Evans, George Flanagan, Ebon Scurr, Joe Burton.

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