BULLS TAME LIONS IN THRILLER

Bradford Bulls returned to winning ways with a thrilling 44-38 victory over Swinton Lions at Odsal Stadium.

A fast start and a familiar combination gave Bradford an early lead. Dec Patton’s delicate grubber was grounded by Kieran Gill for his eighth try of the season.

Buoyed by the early score, the home side continued to knock on the Lions’ door and Brad England, 11 minutes into his return from injury, stepped past a Swinton man to dive over.

Patton’s boot extended Bradford’s lead before a response from the visitors, when Jayden Hatton intercepted a flowing move to race the length of the field.

The Bulls were not deterred however, and Nathan Mason quickly restored Bradford’s advantage, racing onto a short ball from Jordan Lilley.

David Foggin-Johnston then got in on the act, grounding a perfectly weighted grubber from Patton.

A penalty on the hooter reduced Bradford’s lead to three scores, before the visitors raced out of the blocks at the start of the second half.

On the back of an error and a penalty, Amir Bourouh burrowed his way through from dummy half before Rhodri Lloyd blocked a kick, collected the loose ball and raced the length of the field. 

Swinton then levelled proceedings before a Bradford response saw three quickfire tries of their own.

Jack Walker grubbered through for DFJ to grab his second, before a rampaging run from Keven Appo put Mason through for his second.

Appo then turned scorer from provider when his barnstorming run couldn’t be halted before a Swinton comeback in the closing stages. 

Wesley Bruines collected a high kick to score before Andrew Badrock set up a nervy final two minutes. 

But the Bulls forced an error to hold on to secure a sixth victory of the season, and a fifth from six at Odsal Stadium. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Jack Walker, Ben Blackmore, Chester Butler, Kieran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Billy Jowitt, Dec Patton, Jordan Baldwinson, Jordan Lilley, Fenton Rogers, AJ Wallace, Brad England, Josh Johnson. INTERCHANGES: Ebon Scurr, George Flanagan Snr, Nathan Mason, Keven Appo. 

TRIES: DFJ (2), Mason (2), Appo, Gill, England

GOALS: Patton 8/8