Round 1
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 26 d. Bradford Bulls 24

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Brough masterminds stunning victory for Wakefield
Mon February 11, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Danny Brough masterminded a stunning victory on his debut as Wakefield Trinity Wildcats edged past Bradford Bulls 24-23 in an enthralling engage Super League XIII opener at Belle Vue.

The scrum-half joined the Wildcats on a three-year contract after helping Castleford back into engage Super League with a virtuoso performance in last season's Co-op National One grand final demolition of Widnes.

He quickly proved his top-flight pedigree with a commanding display that saw him create tries either side of half-time for Tony Martin and Luke George.

Crucially, Brough also landed four goals to secure the points, but this was a richly-deserved team effort that echoed the Wildcats' blistering start to last season.

Bradford deserve credit too and debutant Paul Sykes' late converted try brought them to within two points of their opponents but John Kear's remodelled side held on for a deserved success.

That the victory was achieved without key stand-off Jamie Rooney ? presumably due to injury - made it all the more impressive.

Perhaps most pleasing of all for Kear was the way in which his new faces - Paul Reilly, Brad Drew, Martin and Brough - all made telling contributions.

Former Wakefield favourite Ben Jeffries began on the bench for the visitors and with Paul Deacon and Iestyn Harris dovetailing effectively at half-back, Bradford quickly built up a head of steam.

Terry Newton was an imposing presence at hooker and after Tame Tupou's forward pass sent him clear in the seventh minute, the former Wigan man strode over the line.

Tupou's pass ensured there were to be no celebrations among the visiting players, but after a penalty from Martin put Wakefield ahead, the Bulls produced a delightful score, which this time Newton could celebrate.

It came in the 17th minute and began when the imposing Sam Burgess embarked on a brilliant run down the right flank, which saw him outstrip a clutch of Trinity players.

Great Britain international Burgess, 19, spotted James Evans in support and an astute offload from the wing allowed the onrushing Newton to cross the line with ease.

Deacon added the extras but Wakefield's response was impressive and two tries in three minutes saw them forge ahead in style to lead at the break.

Their first score came in the 24th minute and saw the ball pass through five pairs of hands as Drew, Sam Obst, Martin and Brough combined to send Ryan Atkins scuttling over in the left corner.

A slip at the vital moment from Bulls centre Sykes helped Wakefield on their way to the try-line but there was no doubting the quality of the move.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Wakefield cut Bradford to pieces again.

After Matt Blaymire's ambitious break down the left was halted, the Wildcats kept the ball alive and excellent hands from Drew and Brett Ferres sent Reilly over.

Martin could not convert either try but Deacon missed a penalty on the stroke of half-time to ensure an interval score of 10-6 in Wakefield's favour.

Brough assumed kicking duties in the 52nd minute, landing a long-range effort to give his side breathing space, and then five minutes later he threw an exquisite long pass out wide for George to cross in the left corner.

Bradford showed character, however, to hit back on the hour mark when Newton sent Michael Platt over but a brilliant breakaway effort from George eight minutes later allowed the wing to claim his second try.

The Bulls hit back again when Newton scuttled under the posts for his second with nine minutes remaining but although Deacon converted, another Brough penalty saw Wakefield home and dry and ensured Sykes' late score - converted by Deacon - ultimately counted for little.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: www.superleague.co.uk


Bulls Eye: Bradford v Wakefield
Sat February 9, 2008
Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

In this the first edition of Bulls Eye for the new season, Bradford coach Steve McNamara looks ahead to Sunday's Super League Round 1 game at Belle Vue when the Bulls take on the Wildcats.

STEVE McNAMARA

WHAT'S THE MOOD IN THE CAMP AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON?
It's really good. I think we are all excited about the opportunity before us and it's come round very quickly. Halfway through December and January it can seem like pre season is dragging on but suddenly it's upon you. I think we all enjoyed watching Leeds and Hull KR last weekend and its set us off in the right mood for this weekend.

We have been very happy with the way we have gone in pre season ? the way the players have conducted themselves and the amount of work we have got through. The amount of injuries picked up close season that have occurred in training have been minimal, which is great for us. We have been unlucky in that we have picked up a couple of bad ones in the pre season game ? Dave Solomona's knee and Semi Tadulala's cheekbone - but apart from that we have managed to prevent most other 'preventable' injuries.

YOU HAVE SIX NEW PLAYERS IN THE SQUAD. HOW DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE SETTLED IN?
They have gone really well and they have all added something new to the squad. We are delighted to have recruited them and they are very happy to be at Bradford Bulls. We signed them to cover areas were we thought we were weak in last season and hopefully they will start to gel very, very quickly. We identified those areas ? I think athleticism was an area we were light in last year ? and we have brought a couple of players in who are quick, athletic and agile. They bring things to us both attack wise and defensively.

LOOKING AHEAD TO WAKEFIELD, YOU HAD THREE OUT OF THREE VICTORIES AGAINST THEM LAST YEAR. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE SAME?
Traditionally Bradford v Wakefield games have been very close and very difficult. Yes we got the upper hand on them last year but all the games were very tough and we will certainly be going there with the utmost respect for them on Sunday and without recourse to anything that happened last year. At this stage of the season all sides have a great chance of victory and if you underestimate your opponents you will pay the price.

Belle Vue is never an easy place to go and like I said there have been some great games over the past few years. Both sides have plenty of ex players from the other side in their ranks and that always add a spark.

Wakefield have had plenty of pre season games. We played against them with our young kids out in early January and I think they have had about five games since then. Collectively they have decided to go strong as a unit but in their recruitment of Brad Drew and Danny Brough, they have brought in a lot of excitement and added a great deal of variety to their kicking game

IS IT VITAL TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING?
It is but you have also to remember that it is a not a competition played over six or seven games. There are twenty seven rounds and Challenge Cup games and Play Off's and you structure your training accordingly and try and get the balance right. We would obviously like to get off to a good start and win the first few games and be at the head of the competition. That certainly gives you confidence but we know that it is just as vital to be winning games and stringing good results together at the end of the season.

SQUAD

Steve McNamara has named the following 20 man squad, which does not include the injured David Solomona and Semi Tadulala

The Squad is: Glenn Morrison, Sam Burgess, Paul Sykes, Terry Newton, Shontayne Hape, Paul Deacon, (C), James Evans, Dave Halley, Chris Nero, Matt Cook, Joe Vagana, Matt James, Tame Tupou, Michael Platt, Iestyn Harris, Wayne Godwin, Ben Jeffries, Simon Finnigan, Andy Lynch, Jamie Langley.

MILESTONES

PAUL DEACON needs four goals for a career total of 1,000. The scrum-half currently has kicked 996 goals including 21 drop goals. He has kicked 981 for Bradford and 15 in representative matches. He has kicked 10 goals or more in a match for Bradford on nine occasions, including a best feat of 12. He has finished as the top goal scorer in all matches in a season three times. He will be 29 next Wednesday.

TERRY NEWTON needs one try for a career century of touchdowns in club and representative matches. He has scored 6 for Leeds Rhinos, 74 for Wigan Warriors, 15 for Bradford Bulls and 4 in representative matches. He also played two matches on loan at Bramley without scoring. His 99 tries have come in 341 appearances.

BEN JEFFRIES need six points for a career total of 300 in British Rugby League. He has scored 69 tries, kicked 7 goals and 4 Drop Goals for a total of 294 points

News sent by: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

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