Bradford Outmuscle Huddersfield In Epic At Odsal

ByJay Freeman
BBC Sport England


71 Comments


Bradford (4) 26


Tries: Ruan, Nikorima 2, Hooley Goals: Hooley 3, Atkin 2


Huddersfield (2) 14


Tries: Powell, Gagai Goals: Russell 3


Bradford Bulls made a 3rd succeeding home Super League win, emerging triumphant from an impressive encounter versus winless Huddersfield Giants.


In a cagey very first half, Olly Russell and Luke Hooley exchanged kicks, with the latter effective to give Bradford a narrow half-time lead.


Tristan Powell struck for Huddersfield after the break however Leon Ruan and Jayden Nikorima countered for the Bulls.


Jacob Gagai dragged Huddersfield back into the game however Bradford pulled off the win courtesy of Hooley's late try and Nikorima's second.


It was a chastening night for Huddersfield, who dropped to a 5th defeat, yet the injury-hit Giants installed an exceptional return in a thrilling 2nd half at Odsal.


Russell's early goal had nudged them ahead and, in an attritional very first half, his kick was matched by Hooley later.


The game sprung into life as half-time approached, with Zac Woolford punished for a high arm on Hooley, who properly sent out over another two points right in front of the posts.


Bradford sent Connor Wynne through for what they thought was the video game's opening try but, after a lengthy review by video referee James Vella, his score was chalked off when it was judged Ed Chamberlain was passively offside at the point the kick was made before he ended up being active when in ownership.


Super League


Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers


15:00 GMT on Saturday, 21 March


Wynne was later at fault when he spilled Russell's high ball, causing Powell believing rapidly to occupy and after that review for the very first try of the night.


Yet it was some fast thinking from Bradford that assisted them react, as they worked the ball from their own goalline into Ruan's try within 60 seconds and after that Nikorima powered over under the sticks on his debut to extend the hosts' lead.


Huddersfield then scored among the more audacious tries of the night, as Gagai snuck up on Bradford's Esan Marsters - who had been anticipating it to bounce dead - and dotted down with inches to spare to put the visitors within 2.


Bradford polished off the win in great fettle with Nikorima initially offloading to Hooley, who wonderfully sold a dummy before entering at the corner, before the former Salford man battered his method over for a second.


Five first-half tries assist St Helens past Toulouse


'Jayden was the game's finest player' - reaction


Bradford head coach Kurt Haggerty informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"Huddersfield were actually great, they showed a determination and we didn't deal with their big bodies (well) at times in the very first half, they got a roll on and we fought with it.


"Ultimately, when we entered into the video game we started playing our design - it took us too long to do that once we grew into the video game and began improving our line speed, I thought that started to turn the game.


"I thought Jayden was conveniently the best player on the field. I didn't anticipate much magic from him, I simply desired him to defend well and take the line on, but he's a top-notch gamer, he's been chomping at the bit to play.


"He was the distinction, wasn't he? He just needs to keep improving, keep concentrating on his defence first and after that the rest of his game will come."


Huddersfield boss Luke Robinson informed BBC Radio Leeds:


"First half we were dominant, we had most of the ball. But it makes it very challenging to assault on this field, it's small.


"Very hardly ever will you go round individuals however I felt we should have made a little bit more of the field positions, in attack we were a bit blunt and didn't offer enough with the ball.


"Second half we gave a seven-tackle set away, they scored, we got back into it, we gave a seven-tackle set away once again, they scored, we kicked one out on the complete and it simply heaps so much pressure on us.


"If you do put a seven-tackle set in, we need to still have the durability to safeguard that set. Work for your mate, for the club, for the badge, for the shirt. At the minute, things are just a little off."


Bradford: Aekins; Wynne, Marsters, Armitage, Ryan; Nikorima, Hooley; Sutton, Ackers, Ormondroyd, Chamberlain, Ruan, Mellor.


Interchanges: Atkin, Lolesio, Hallas, Souter.


Huddersfield: King; Woolford, Burgess, O'Donnell, Patolo; Powell, Russell; Lolohea, Gagai, Milne, McCormack, Lumb, Zenon.


Interchanges: Rogers, Rush, Cozza, Cassell.


Referee: Aaron Moore.


Huddersfield Giants