Round 19
Bradford Bulls 40 d. Hull KR 20

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

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

Hape scores in final appearance as Bulls hammer Rovers
Mon June 30, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Shontayne Hape marked his farewell appearance with a try just before half-time as Bradford Bulls produced a seven-try romp to climb up to fifth place in engage Super League.

Hape, who enjoyed a devastating partnership with fellow rugby union convert Lesley Vainikolo during the majority of his six-year stint at Bradford, joins Bath next month.

It was the New Zealander's 85th try in 136 appearances for the Bulls and an appropriate way for the fans favourite to sign off his Odsal career.

Bradford started brightly, David Solomona powering over from close range after Hape had been tackled just short of the line.

But Rovers hit back with three tries in 10 minutes as they threatened to wreak havoc.

England winger Peter Fox dived over in the corner less than 48 hours after representing his country against France to narrow the gap.

Intelligent play from Kris Welham set Paul Cooke clear under the posts before Jake Webster and Daniel Fitzhenry combined down the left flank and Michael Dobson stretched the lead, but Rovers' afternoon quickly turned sour.

Ben Cockayne's awful pass from the base of the scrum allowed Paul Sykes to claim an easy touchdown before Solomona created enough space for Hape to burst through for a sentimental score that pushed the Bulls back ahead just before the break.

Rovers had already been hit by the Jason Netherton's withdrawal during the warm-up and they were further weakened when Cockayne was forced off with a knee injury.

Bradford ruthlessly took full advantage of their opponents' difficulties with four second-half tries.

Simon Finnigan finished Ben Jeffries' break before putting Sykes clear for his double five minutes later.

Then Iestyn Harris showed a flash of his old self, side-stepping two players to bamboozle the visitors' defence and Michael Platt completed the Bulls' tally.

Cockayne grabbed a late consolation after rejoining the action but it meant little to Justin Morgan's men.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk

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