Rugby League: Bradford humiliate troubled Hull

BRADFORD PILED on the misery for Hull yesterday with a 44-12 win at the Boulevard that takes them five points clear and they will finish top of the JJB Super League if St Helens lose at home to Gateshead today.

Michael Withers, a makeshift full-back, scored four tries and the winger Leon Pryce was inspirational. Once in front, the Bulls eased into a 16- 0 half-time lead and then cut loose to go 38-0 ahead with just over an hour gone.

Hull, who may need a better points difference than Huddersfield to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation, managed two late tries but the 44 they conceded will have damaged their chances.

Salford are still in danger of relegation after losing 36-10 to Wakefield. The turning point came early in the second half when the Wildcats ran in two quick tries while the Salford scrum-half Martin Crompton was in the sin-bin to make it 22-10. Salford must win one of their last two matches to secure their top-flight status.

Hull Kingston Rovers completed their collapse from the top of the Northern Ford Premiership with a 23-10 defeat at Featherstone Rovers in the decider for the final play-off place.

The Robins, early pacesetters in the Division before slipping out of the top four, knew victory would have guaranteed them the last position in the end-of-season play-offs.

But, after going ahead through Scott Yeaman Hull KR capitulated and Featherstone - who by contrast have come from nowhere to reach the top five with six straight wins - dominated the match.

The winger Matt Bramald claimed two tries late in the first half, paving the way for a 18-4 interval lead. Despite a 58th-minute try by Hull's Paul Fletcher, Featherstone kept calm and a Richard Chapman drop goal followed by a Jamie Stokes try earned last season's beaten Grand Finalists another go at the big time.