BULLS BATTLE DESPITE DEFEAT IN BETFRED CHAMPIONSHIP THRILLER

MATTY Dawson-Jones scored a brace on debut as Bradford Bulls produced a battling display in a Betfred Championship thriller before falling to an 18-14 defeat at the hands of former Super League side London Broncos.

Bradford enjoyed the stronger start to proceedings but it would be the visitors to break the deadlock through Guy Armitage. 

The visitors doubled their lead soon after when Rob Butler crashed over from close range before the home side saw three scores chalked off by the referee.

Kear’s side flew out of the starting blocks at the start of the second half and Matty Dawson-Jones finished off a stunning team move.

Josh Walters restored the Broncos’ advantage against the run of play before Thomas Doyle’s powerful, scurrying effort restored the Bull’s hopes of a comeback.

Dawson-Jones’ second on his Bradford bow set up a tense final few minutes but the visitors held firm in the face of a ferocious Bradford display.

John Kear handed debuts to six of his 2020 roster as a crowd of over 2,500 packed into the Tetley’s Stadium

Rowan Milnes was held up over the London line as the home side began at a ferocious pace before the Broncos took the lead against the run of play.

On the last tackle, London went on a short side play with Armitage running a strong line through the Bradford defence.

London retrieved possession from their own goal-line drop out and went up the other end to force an error from Bradford – with Butler crashing over on the following set.

Joe Brown and Sam Hallas both saw tries chalked off as Bradford ramped up the pressure prior to the break.

Soon after play had resumed, Rowan Milnes chipped and regathered before feeding Dawson-Jones via Brad Gallagher and Ross Oakes to get Bradford on the scoreboard.

Josh Walters dived over to arrest the Broncos’ slide before Doyle’s inventive effort on the London line got Bradford back in the contest.

Dawson-Jones then dived over for his second try on debut to set up a tantalising final four minutes but the visitors held firm.

BRADFORD BULLS: Brandon Pickersgill, Greg Johnson, Joe Brown, Ross Oakes, Matty Dawson-Jones, Rowan Milnes, Jordan Lilley, Anthony England, Sam Hallas, Steve Crossley, Adam Rooks, Brad Gallagher, Liam Kirk. INTERCHANGES: Ebon Scurr, Levy Nzoungou, Thomas Doyle, Evan Hodgson.

TRIES: Dawson-Jones (2), Doyle 

GOALS: Lilley 2/3 

London Broncos: Kieran Dixon, Jacob Ogden, Will Lovell, Guy Armitage, Tuoyo Egodo, James Meadows, Cory Aston, Greg Richards, Matthew Fozard, Rob Butler, Rhys Curran, Josh Walters, Eddie Battye. INTERCHANGES: Sadiq Adebiyi, Olsi Krasniqi, Dan Norman, Sam Davis.

TRIES: Armitage, Butler, Walters

GOALS: Dixon 3/3