Round 17
Bradford Bulls 34 d. Hull FC 8

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Newton claims four tries as Bulls dispose of Hull FC
Mon June 18, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Terry Newton claimed four tries for Bradford Bulls to upstage Lesley Vainikolo and kill off a battling Hull FC side.

Vainikolo was making his final appearance at the Grattan Stadium before switching to rugby union with Gloucester but Hull looked like denying him a winning engage Super League send-off.

The visitors had held a slender 8-6 lead from the 28th minute when Tame Tupou, the man signed to replace Vainikolo, broke their spirits midway through the second half.

Newton then claimed three more in quick succession to put the result beyond doubt and keep the Bulls within touching distance of leaders St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.

Vainikolo was held tryless but still has one more game, away at Leeds, to claim the two more he needs to take his Bulls tally to 150 from what would be 152 games.

Paul Deacon, who scored 12 points, added another late try and Vainikolo gave the crowd something to cheer when he was allowed to convert the final score.

Yet Hull's performance, after last week's surprise Challenge Cup loss to Catalans Dragons, had been much improved and they held a narrow advantage at the interval after defending resolutely.

The Bulls showed most of the early attacking intent but Vainikolo's afternoon began inauspiciously when he knocked on at his first play-the-ball.

Hooker Newton was also guilty of knocking on as the Bulls pressed towards the line.

Hull capitalised as Anthony Thackeray broke clear from deep inside his own half on his side's next possession and sent the supporting Motu Tony away for the opening try.

Tony had surprisingly been chosen ahead of Shaun Briscoe at full-back but his lightning break after six minutes gave early vindication to Peter Sharp's selection.

Danny Tickle converted but the Bulls responded impressively with Newton atoning for his earlier error by finishing off a quick counter-attack.

Glenn Morrison, despite suspicion of a forward pass from Deacon, created the opening on the right and gave Newton a simple task to run in and touch down.

Deacon added the extras and the Bulls continued to try to force the pace but Vainikolo, anxious for his try, knocked on from a David Solomona pass.

Hull finished the half strongly with Paul King breaking through but being pulled up for a forward pass and Richard Whiting going close but at least winning a penalty.

Whiting was pulled back by Michael Platt chasing a ball hacked on by Sid Domic. The video referee ruled it had not been a clear tryscoring opportunity but Tickle took the two points on offer.

Hull carried their confidence into the second half and Vainikolo had to be alert in his own in-goal area to scoop the ball up ahead of Tickle after a dangerous Richard Horne kick.

It was not until midway through the period that the Bulls finally managed to muscle their way back into the game and take the lead.

Deacon surprisingly opted to run a penalty but the decision paid off as Tupou squeezed in on the right from a Morrison pass.

Newton then killed off Hull when he raced through after another Tupou charge and grabbed another within minutes.

His fourth came from dummy half with just four minutes remaining and there was still time for Deacon to break through for a try.

That at least allowed Vainikolo the chance to bid farewell with a goal and the giant winger made no mistake.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Injury woe for Briscoe


Bulls Eye: Bradford v Hull FC
Sat June 16, 2007
Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

In this week's Bulls Eye Bradford Head Coach Steve McNamara looks forward to Sunday's engage Super League Round 17 game at the Grattan Stadium when the Bulls take on Hull FC.

STEVE McNAMARA
WHAT SORT OF A GAME WILL IT BE THIS WEEK?
It will be a very tough game. They have been having it a bit tough at the moment - they got knocked out of the cup last week- but they have announced a major signing this week and it's lifted the whole city. Shaun Berrigan will be a good signing for them and I live in Hull and know what a boost it has been for everyone. I think they will be keen to put things right very quickly and there is no better way to do that than to go to Bradford and take a big scalp. I am sure that's the way they will be looking at it.

We need to prepare very well. We must do our homework and make sure the players are physically and mentally prepared for the game and that we have the right game plan and execute that properly to beat Hull.

IT'S LESLEY VAINIKOLO'S LAST GAME THIS WEEK?
It is his last home game and it's a sad occasion for everyone. Lesley has been massive for the club both on and off the field and he will be sorely missed. But as one door closes another one opens.

I don't think it will be an emotional day. I think everyone is geared up for giving Les a good send off and if that comes on the back of a victory over Hull then it will be even better.

WHAT IS THE TEAM NEWS THIS WEEK?
We have both Iestyn and Ben Harris missing this week. Iestyn has torn his hamstring and Ben has had a bit of cartilage taken out of his knee. Apart from that we are OK and well select from what we've got this week.

SQUAD
Steve McNamara has named the following 20 man squad, which does not include the injured Ben and Iestyn Harris.

The Squad is: Hawkyard, St Hilaire, McAvoy, Evans, Vagana, Henderson, Solomona, Vainikolo, McKenna, Burgess, Kopczak, Halley, Lynch, Morrison, Tupou, James, Deacon, Platt, Langley, Newton

MILESTONES
LESLEY VAINIKOLO has scored 148 tries in his 150 games.

PAUL DEACON has kicked 89 goals from 109 attempts this season for an average of 81.65%.

News sent by: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

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