Rugby League: Bulls have too much power
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.London Broncos 16 Bradford Bulls 19
BRADFORD STRETCHED their lead at the top of Super League to seven points, but they had to bide their time before showing the sporting public of Leicester what they could do last night and wait even longer before making sure of beating stubborn London side.
Confusion over the ticket-selling arrangements caused a 45-minute delay in the kick-off as hundreds of fans queued outside Welford Road. Bradford's supporters could have been disorientated by their teamsheet as well, with a number of players rested and positional innovations including Steve McNamara at scrum-half and Paul Deacon at hooker.
London began as though affronted by the apparent slight and took the lead after 10 minutes, running the ball on the last tackle for Karle Hammond, in such magnificent form of late, to send Tulsen Tollett over, Brett Warton adding the goal.
The Broncos undid much of that good work when Greg Fleming knocked on a straightforward kick from Henry Paul. From the resulting possession, Michael Withers got a ball out of the tackle with great skill and control and David Boyle scored, McNamara levelling the contest with his kick.
A far bigger blunder soon followed Glen Air throwing his pass straight into the arms of Withers who scored with ease. McNamara added the goal and a penalty after Paul was obstructed chasing his own chip kick.
The thread of confusion running through the evening contributed to the try with which London fought back, Dean Callaway diving on to Air's kick after one but before the second of what appeared to be two dead-ball lines.
Warton tagged on the goal and then provided the pass from which Fleming appeared to have put the Broncos ahead. The referee, Russell Smith, ruled that he had not been able to ground the ball and the Bulls preserved their precarious lead into the second half.
They soon extended their advantage. McNamara's kick across the whole width of the pitch picked out Nathan McAvoy unerringly for the centre to touch down on the opposite wing.
McNamara followed his conversion with a penalty, but his drop goal edged the Bulls a little further in front, as the Broncos, with Bradford old boy Shaun Edwards replacing the injured Hammond, struggled to make inroads.
An encouraging crowd of more than 8,000 was finally shown a good contest, but Bradford always had a little too much firepower for their opponents.
That all changed when Shane Millard's startling break down the left flank laid on a try for John Timu 11 minutes from time, but Warton pulled a simple conversion wide.
London Broncos: Fleming; Warton, Tollett, Timu, Smyth; Hammond, Air; Cram, Callaway, Seibold, Retchless, Winyard, Gill. Substitutes used: Millard, Toshack, Beazley, Edwards.
Bradford Bulls: Spruce; Vaikona, Withers, McAvoy, Howlett; H Paul, McNamara; Harmon, Deacon, Fielden, Boyle, Peacock, Jowitt. Substitutes used: McDermott, Forshaw, Pryce, Radford.
Referee: R Smith (Castleford).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments