FAST START PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR DUNNING AND CO

Mark Dunning’s side picked up a second successive Reserve Grade win yesterday evening – where a blistering start laid the foundations for a 16-12 victory at Horsfall Stadium.

Bradley Ho and Alix Stephenson’s stunning individual effort handed Bradford a 10-0 lead after just five minutes. 

Salford then responded with two quickfire tries of their own – Joel Verite and Ryan Gray the scorers.

Defences dominated proceedings from here on out – with neither side able to breach their opposite numbers in the following fourty minutes.

Stephenson grabbed his second of the game following a tricky Harry Shackleton kick, before a late Salford score set up a frantic finale – Bradford holding firm.

Danny Maskill was named in the starting line-up having made his red, amber and black stay permanent – with Harry Shackleton named on the interchange bench for his first appearance of the season.

Having forced an error from the kick-off, Bradford immediately got on the board.

On the powerplay, Maskill fed the onrushing Ho, who barged his way past two Salford defenders for the perfect start to proceedings.

Buoyed by that early score, on the next set Dunning’s side were in again through Stephenson.

A slick passage of play on the left edge saw Race feed the full-back – who stepped his way past three visiting defenders to ground the ball despite pressure.

Salford reduced arrears when a kick in behind troubled Bradford’s right edge before a further effort got the visitors within two.

The scoring ground to a halt as the Bulls’ defence stood firm to maintain their advantage – losing captain Keelan Foster just before the break.

Neither side added to their points on the scoring ledger before the 65^th minute when Stephenson added to his first half try.

Harry Shackleton’s high, hanging kick was palmed back by the leaping David Foggin-Johnston into the arms of the full back who dived over underneath the posts.

A late Salford try set up a nervy final two minutes but Bradford emerged unscathed for a second straight win.

BRADFORD BULLS RESERVES: Alix Stephenson, Jacob Smillie, Elliot Culling, Ryan Butterworth, Murphy Smith, Matthew Race, Billy Jowitt, Keelan Foster, Danny Maskill, Bradley Ho, Sam Smith, Evan Hodgson, Ethan O’Hanlon. INTERCHANGES: Harry Shackleton, James McGurk, Cameron Berry, Matty Stableford.

TRIES: Stephenson (2), Ho

GOALS: Race 2/3