DONCASTER 12 BRADFORD BULLS 30
ROB WALLACE, Eco-Power Stadium, Sunday

SUPER LEAGUE newcomers Bradford claimed victory in their first match under coach Kurt Haggerty – but he will want to see a higher level of intensity and discipline, although testing conditions appeared to be a factor in a scrappy performance.

The Bulls made the early running in chilly South Yorkshire, and Eribe Doro broke downfield. He drew the cover defence, but his pass to the support runners was both forward and low, and Doncaster recovered possession.

With the home side looking to move away from their own line in the seventh minute, Rowan Milnes was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.

Despite his side being down a man, Esan Marsters scored the first try in the tenth minute, dancing inside and powering his way over to score down the left edge, with Jayden Okunbor converting.

Jayden Nikorima extended the lead 15 minutes later, intercepting a Doncaster pass 30 metres from his own line and racing over unopposed to score down the right. Milnes, back on the field, added a left-footed goal for 12-0.

With six minutes of the first half remaining, Milnes sent the ball out to the left and into the hands of the explosive Waqa Blake, who charged over from close range despite the best efforts of two Doncaster defenders. Milnes missed with his conversion attempt.

The hosts looked to build pressure towards the end of the first half and in the closing moments and on the back of two penalties, Connor Jones sneaked over from close range, Connor Robinson adding the extras.

Bradford were out early for the second half and started in sprightly style as Zac Fulton crashed over on the fifth tackle. Milnes was off target from the tee.

Cory Aston helped narrow the deficit to eight points after 48 minutes as he stepped inside the cover defence to score under the posts. Robinson again added the two.

Errors dominated the next ten minutes as both sides threatened to launch attacks deep in opposition territory, but a loose carry or knock-on prevented points.

Luke Hooley did come up with the try of the game ten minutes from the end as he collected a Doncaster kick through and evaded the chasers before going 80 metres to cross in the right corner. Milnes’ conversion effort from the touchline fell short.

Bradford extended their lead with four minutes remaining as Jamie Gill latched onto a Doncaster error from a kick through and scored to the left of the posts. Hooley took over the kicking duties to add the relatively simple conversion.

GAMESTAR: Andy Ackers controlled the ruck while he was on the field and looks a shrewd addition to the Bradford squad.

GAMEBREAKER: Zac Fulton’s try for the Bulls just after half-time extinguished any faint chance of Doncaster mounting a second half comeback.

MATCHFACTS

DONCASTER
1 Tom Holmes
5 Luke Briscoe
23 James Glover
3 Brad Hey
18 Edene Gebbie
24 Watson Boas
6 Cory Aston
15 Jordan Baldwinson
9 Greg Burns
10 Suaia Matagi
12 Alex Sutcliffe
22 Luis Johnson
8 Brad Knowles
Subs (all used)
4 Reece Lyne
7 Connor Robinson
11 Sam Smeaton
14 Jacob Jones
16 Pauli Pauli
17 Muizz Mustapha
19 Connor Jones
20 Isaac Misky
25 Gadwin Springer

Tries: Jones (40), Aston (48)
Goals: Robinson 2/2

BULLS
1 Caleb Aekins
2 Jayden Okunbor
3 Esan Marsters
4 Waqa Blake
5 Ethan Ryan
6 Jayden Nikorima
7 Rowan Milnes
15 Eribe Doro
9 Andy Ackers
20 Brandon Douglas
11 Dan Russell
12 Zac Fulton
8 Ryan Sutton
Subs (all used)
14 Mitch Souter
30 Leon Ruan
21 Sam Hallas
23 Connor Wynne
18 Joe Keyes
22 Luke Hooley
25 Eliot Peposhi
26 Ronan Michael
– Harvey Ward
28 Jamie Gill
27 Alfie Leake

Tries: Marsters (10), Nikorima (25), Blake (34), Fulton (42), Hooley (70), Gill (76)
Goals: Okunbor 1/1, Milnes 1/4, Hooley 1/1
Sin bin: Milnes (7) – high tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12, 0-16, 6-16; 6-20, 12-20, 12-24, 12-30

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Doncaster: Muizz Mustapha; Bulls: Andy Ackers

Penalty count: 8-7
Half-time: 6-16
Referee: Tara Jones