SUPERB BULLS END TOULOUSE'S UNBEATEN RECORD

Bradford Bulls ended Toulouse Olympique’s unbeaten start to the season with a thrilling 28-18 victory at Odsal Stadium yesterday.

Dec Patton went six from six from the tee which, combined with tries from George Flanagan Snr, Joe Arundel, Liam Tindall and AJ Wallace, sealed a memorable victory in round four.

Head coach Mark Dunning made three changes to the squad which beat Widnes Vikings last Sunday, with Michael Lawrence, Liam Tindall, and Josh Johnson introduced in place of Bodene Thompson, David Foggin-Johnson, and Masi Matongo.

It was the Bulls who would strike first in the tie, after great initiative from Kieran Gill saw him steal the ball close to the line. George Flanagan Snr then bulldozed his way over the line in trademark fashion from dummy half.

Minutes later, Joe Arundel looked destined to ground a great Dec Patton kick to the in goal area, but he was unable to reach the ball before it rolled dead.

Toulouse’s first try of the afternoon came from a quick break down the middle by Josh Ralph, who fed Anthony Marion for a simple score under the sticks.

Mark Dunning’s side regained the lead via the boot of Dec Patton, who slotted over a penalty to make the score 8-6 after an offside Toulouse player dropped on a loose ball. 

It was, however, Toulouse who took a lead into half time, with Paul Marcon crossing after a rapid-fire powerplay left the winger an easy try.

Ten minutes into the second half, Keven Appo was sent to the sin bin for an apparent tip tackle on a Toulouse man. From the resulting set, Lambert Belmas crashed over from short range to extend the French side’s lead.

A clean break by Eloi Pelissier threatened to put the game beyond the Bulls, but an excellent try-saving tackle from Jordan Lilley forced an error.

The final quarter of the game descended into chaos after both Jordan Lilley and Maxime Stefani were shown yellow cards for their roles in a scuffle. From the resulting penalty, Joe Arundel would race through a gap to reduce the arrears to four.

The centre’s quick-thinking epitomised the fast and frenetic pace of the second period, and the Odsal crowd responded well to this.

Leeds Rhinos’ loanee Liam Tindall then added his name to the scoresheet, crashing over in the corner after a short ball from Kieran Gill. Dec Patton’s conversion was immaculate, leaving the score 20-18 in favour of the Bulls.

Bradford’s tails were up and, after Ben Blackmore’s slaloming cross-field run, AJ Wallace benefitted from a short ball to steamroll his way over the line. Patton’s one-hundred percent success rate from the tee would continue, as the Bulls took a 26-18 lead.

No sooner had both teams returned to thirteen players, Joe Bretherton was given his marching orders for his role in yet another coming together.

A third Toulouse yellow card was brandished just minutes before full time, with first-half try scorer Lambert Belmas punished for his clumsy trip on the advancing George Flanagan Snr, who looked set to score his second of the afternoon.

This gave Dec Patton a chance to set the seal on what was a fantastic Bradford Bulls performance, going six from six to secure a 28-18 win for Mark Dunning’s men.

Bradford Bulls: Tom Holmes, Ben Blackmore, Joe Arundel, Kieran Gill, Liam Tindall, Dec Patton, Jordan Lilley, Jordan Baldwinson, George Flanagan Snr, Fenton Rogers, AJ Wallace, Brad England, Michael Lawrence.

Interchanges: George Roby, Keven Appo, Josh Johnson, Brad Foster.

Tries – George Flanagan Snr, Joe Arundel, Liam Tindall, AJ Wallace

Goals – Dec Patton 6/6

Yellow Cards – Keven Appo, Jordan Lilley

Toulouse Olympique: Oliver Ashall-Bott, Paul Marcon, Mathieu Jussaume, Reubenn Rennie, Guy Armitage, Josh Ralph, Jake Shorrocks, Lambert Belmas, Eloi Pelissier, Joe Bretherton, Dom Peyroux, Maxime Stefani, Anthony Marion.

Interchanges: Robin Brochon, Dimitri Biscarro, Hugo Pezet, Pierre-Jean Lima.

Tries – Anthony Marion, Paul Marcon, Lambert Belmas

Goals – Jake Shorrocks 3/4

Yellow Cards – Maxime Stefani, Joe Bretherton, Lambert Belmas