KEAR KEEN TO KEEP ON BUILDING

Bradford Bulls Head Coach John Kear has called on his side to pick up where they left off last time out – when Swinton Lions visit Odsal Stadium on Sunday.

An impressive 30-12 victory over Newcastle Thunder ended a run of two narrow defeats, with the race for the play-offs hotting up.

The Lions descend on BD6 looking to continue a turnaround in from which has seen them lose just one of their last three games.

The Bradford boss is challenging his players to keep on building – wary of the threat posed by a Swinton side desperate for points.

“Yes, it is a case of trying to pick up where we left off, I thought our display at Newcastle was excellent – they have good players, they are a good team and we put them to the sword with a dominant display,” said Kear, who is sponsored by Bradford Bulls Banter.

“The challenge now is to be as good once again this Sunday, with one or two minor improvements to keep on building.

“Swinton are desperate but having seen their last three games – having won 1, drawn 1 and lost one, you saw the relief in their faces when they got the win at Dewsbury. 

“We know having played them in the trial game and at Swinton earlier this year they are no pushovers – a side which has Martyn Ridyard, Rhodri Lloyd, Nick Gregson and Lewis Hatton is going to trouble you. 

“We certainly are not expecting to have it all our own way and we will need to continue playing as we have been in recent weeks. 

“One of the measures of how much we’ve improved is how we’ve managed with just one half-back, comparing Featherstone/Sheffield to Halifax/Newcastle shows how much smarter we are, how much we have developed but we can go even better and that is the challenge. 

Kear also provided an update on how the squad is shaping up ahead of Sunday – with one notable returnee in Matty Dawson Jones. 

“Ebon Scurr picked up an ankle injury at Newcastle, Steve Crossley misses out as he is isolating as a close contact but on the plus side Brad England is back after illness and so is Dan Fleming. 

“Matty Dawson-Jones too is back and he will play, he is a quality three quarter who has had a tough year and when you are injured one of the easiest things to do is become isolated and feel sorry for yourself. 

“But Matty is a great character and never once has he felt sorry for himself, he has applied himself brilliantly to come back as quick as he could and this is the right time for him to return and I cannot wait to see him and I hope all the fans are the same.” 

John Kear’s Big Match Preview is brought to you by AJJB Law.