ELEVEN HEAVEN FOR THE BULLS

Bradford Bulls progressed to the fourth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup with a 62-6 victory over a resilient York Acorn side.

Eleven tries shared amongst eight different try-scorers meant the Bulls secured a place in the hat for the next round.

Mark Dunning fielded a side with several changes from the defeat to Featherstone Rovers on Monday, with Keven Appo making his first start for the club, and Jayden Myers making his professional debut on the wing.

Bradford started the game on the front foot, forcing York into an early defensive set on their own line, after an accidental offside by the visitors. This allowed for Brad Foster to bundle his way over the line, the perfect start for Mark Dunning’s side.

The visitors rallied and would get their, Tim Stubbs received a short pass and bulldozed his way over from close range.

Bradford would then begin to assert their dominance on proceedings, with George Flanagan Jnr able to score under the posts after an offload by Chester Butler.

Kieran Gill was next to cross the white line, after Dec Patton’s high kick was spilled by Ben Dale, allowing the Bradford centre the easy task of grounding the ball.

With the score now 18-6, Acorn managed to keep the Bulls at bay until the 33^rd minute, before their defensive efforts were broken by Ebon Scurr, who was the beneficiary of a George Flanagan Jnr pass near the line to score on his return from suspension.

Kieran Gill’s second try of the game followed soon after, as he was able to ground Dec Patton’s pinpoint low kick to the corner. Patton converted the score to go five from five in the first period, and Bradford took a 30-6 lead into half time.

Just before the interlude, Fenton Rogers was sent to the sin bin for his role in an altercation, but he would re-join the action just in time to see Ebon Scurr’s second try of the afternoon, as he crashed over the line with devastating effect.

Minutes later, Myles Lawford was able to stroll over the line after throwing a dummy which fooled the York defenders.

Kieran Gill was able to score his hattrick, after a powerplay to the flank left him the grateful recipient of an AJ Wallace pass. George Flanagan Jnr took over kicking duties and was successful in making the score 46-6.

Papua New Guinea international Keven Appo then crossed for his first in a Bradford shirt, after George Flanagan Jnr rose highest to claim a cross-field kick.

Jayden Myers celebrated his first-team debut in style, with a powerful cut out pass from Dec Patton leaving him one-on-one with his opposite number.

Man of the Match Patton was influential all game long, and put the seal on a strong performance with a well-deserved try before the hooter.

The match would finish 62-6 to Bradford Bulls, and all attention now turns to the upcoming home fixture against Sheffield Eagles, on Sunday 19^th March.

We would like to wish York Acorn the best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Bradford Bulls: George Flanagan Jnr, Jayden Myers, Joe Arundel, Kieran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Myles Lawford, Dec Patton, Keven Appo, George Flanagan Snr, Josh Johnson, Chester Butler, AJ Wallace, Brad Foster.

Interchanges: Jordan Baldwinson, Ebon Scurr, Marcus Green, Fenton Rogers.

Tries – Brad Foster, George Flanagan Jnr, Kieran Gill x3, Ebon Scurr x 2, Myles Lawford, Keven Appo, Jayden Myers, Dec Patton

Conversions – Dec Patton 5/6, George Flanagan Jnr 4/5

Yellow Cards – Fenton Rogers

York Acorn: Josh Parker, Ben Tenge, Jordan Myers, Ryan Gallacher, Ben Dale, Ant Chilton, Nathan Conroy, Tim Stubbs, Nick Speck, Elliot Bulmer, George Hunt, Jordan Hyde, Tom Holder.

Interchanges: Danny Byworth, Chris Rushworth, Jack Byrnes, Matt Woods.

Tries – Tim Stubbs

Conversions – Ant Chilton 1/1