BULLieve
2nd April 2013
Welcome to
another edition of your Bradford Bulls weekly article, BULLieve.
What a very
busy Easter period we have had. This week was the OK Bulls Derby Days. It all
kicked off with our under 19’s taking on the Leeds Rhino’s under 19’s at
Stanningley.
The Bulls
had the dream start when they found themselves 10-0 up thanks to tries from Nathan
Conroy and Alex Mellor with fit again Curtis Naughton converting Conroy’s try.
Leeds hit back with a score of their own but a further try from Jarrow ward put
the Bulls 14-6 up. Leeds then hit back to score 2 more tries and lead 18-14
going into the break. The second half was underway and despite some great play
and effort, the Bulls just could not score. Leeds Scored 2 more unanswered tries
to give them the winning score. Full time score, Leeds Rhino’s 28 Bradford
Bulls 14.
With Leeds
being the league leaders, the lads should be very proud of the effort they put
in. Unlucky lads but don’t let the result get you down. Focus on the next game
and let’s try get the win.
Well, the
weather has hit us hard again this week and the club asked for volunteers for
our home game against the Salford City Reds. The volunteers did a great job and
Mr Khan himself has personally asked me to thank every single person who has
given up their time to help. Mr Khan
even got himself dirty along with Gerry Sutcliffe and got on the pitch to help
clear the snow and ice with the other volunteers.
We as a club
are very grateful for all help on both Friday and Sunday to try and ensure the
home game against the Salford City Reds could go ahead.
It was
finally the 1st team squad’s OK Bulls Derby day.
The build-up
and atmosphere in and around Headingley was electric. This derby day seemed to
be more exciting than previous ones. The fans were ready, the team was ready.
The Bulls
were up against it right from the off, as Leeds won the ball from the kick off
and Kallum Watkins ghosted in down the right edge, with just 24 seconds on the
clock. Kevin Sinfield converted to make it 6-0. Joel Moon and Ryan Hall teamed
up and seemed to have scored yet the video ref chalked it off due to a push in
the back on the Bulls.
Despite
relentless pressure on the Bulls line, they held strong and then countered with
one of the tries of the season. Foster was the architect-in-chief, with the
former Saints wingman involved twice in a move which went from right to left
and then back again, as eventually Elliot Whitehead’s spectacular offload saw
Adrian Purtell score for the first time since the Bulls Challenge Cup defeat to
Warrington last year. Foster converted to bring the score level at 6-6.
Tom Olbison
took advantage of some great pressure from the bulls to score just left of the
rhino’s posts. Foster yet again converted to now put the Bulls in front 12-6.
Not long after that, Danny Addy went over to what we all thought was a try but,
replays showed he had lost control whilst trying to ground the ball. Score
remained 12-6.
The Bulls
onslaught petered out and the Rhinos got themselves back level when, on the
back of a penalty, Mitch Achurch just managed to slide his way over the line,
with Sinfield converting, which was the way the relentless first half ended.
Half time, Leeds Rhino’s 12 Bradford Bulls 12.
After the
break the bulls were on the end of a series of penalties and the toll of this
put ex Bull Jamie Peacock in to score. Sinfield once again converted to put the
Rhino’s 18 – 12 up.
The final 10
minutes were nail biting and edge of the seat stuff. Firstly there was a mass
brawl sparked by a spear tackle from Elliot Whitehead on Jamie Jones-Buchanan.
Phil Bentham saw fit to give Whitehead a warning. A head clash between Ryan Bailey and
Nick Scruton then saw the Bulls prop knocked out cold for a moment and the late
dismissal of Peacock saw Sidlow find a gap in the defence to end the classic
contest with a draw after Foster kicked over the simple two to the elation of
the Western terrace.
Final score
Leeds Rhino’s 18 Bradford Bulls 18.
It truly was
a superb game of rugby and a great advert for our brilliant game. The result
was fair and both teams deserved to share the points.
It was
superb to see Adrian Purtell back on the pitch and scoring after his long term
absence. Well done Adrian.
Friday saw
the Real Ale day in the coral stand. This event was a success and proved to be
quite popular with real ale fans flocking to get a taste of the real ales.
Saturday
night saw the much eagerly anticipated, Ultimate Adele Tribute Act.
Boy did this
night not disappoint. The Coral Stand was packed with people taking advantage
of the event. There was singing and dancing from the fans and also it was my
mate, Mathew ward’s 19th Birthday which he chose this event
especially to celebrate.
Sunday was
the Easter Eggstravaganza event in the Coral Stand. Entry was free and was held
from 12 noon to 4pm. This event was very popular with families turning up to
enjoy the fun filled afternoon and meeting Bull Boy.
Monday
arrived with fans anxious to know if the game would be played. At 10am a pitch
inspection took place and, Referee Tim Roby decided that the game could go
ahead.
With the
pitch looking rough with sand, and the crowd in full voice kick off arrived.
Keith Lulia
fumbled the ball with the line begging within the first few minutes but, the
Bulls weren’t going to let that stop them.
The
outstanding Jarrod Sammut stabbed the ball through the Salford defence to send
John Bateman in for the opening score. Foster converted to make it 6-0.
It wasn’t
long before the visitors levelled the score line. Theo Fages’ 40-20 attempt was
just kept in play by Kearney, but at a cost, as the Bulls fullback lost his
footing and Lee Gaskell took full advantage, racing in at the corner, with
Sneyd converting from the touchline.
The Bulls
were now on form. Jarrod Sammut scored one of his two tries from a great
combination from Lulia and Foster. Once again Foster converted to make it 12-6.
Brett
Kearney then found Adrian Purtell to score his second try in as many games
after a line break from Elliot Kear. Foster spot on with the boot again. 18-6. only
moments later Adam Sidlow burst through his clubs defence and charged to the
corner where, he found Brett Kearney who scored the Bull’s 4th try
of the afternoon and his 10th of the season. On form Foster converted to make a favourable
score line at half time 24-6.
After the
break things didn’t seem to go to plan.
Salford
scored after 10 minutes through Jack Murphy after applying a lot of pressure on
the Bulls. Sneyd booted
over the extras again and Foster was then taken off injured.
The tide was
turning and not long after, former Bull Chris Nero scored for the visitors.
Once again the try was converted and now the score line was 24-18. Then a big
sigh of relief was felt around the Provident Stadium as, Danny Addy found Jamie
Langley who through brute strength found the try line. Talking over kicking
duties, Sammut added the conversion to make the score 30-18.
A moment of
magic from Fages suddenly gave Salford some hope as Andrew Dixon scored and
Sneyd added the extra’s from a very easy conversion attempt. The game was
hanging in the balance as only 6 points separated the sides.
Sammut added
2 more points from a penalty to widen the gap to 8 points. The Bulls then put the game to bed when
an outstanding offload from Langley saw Sammut over to cap off his fine
individual performance and the win.
Final score,
Bradford Bulls 36 – Salford City Reds 24. Attendance 7,503.
Congratulations
to Elliot Whitehead on his 100th appearance for the Bulls.
Up next, we
have the London Bronco’s. Please note the venue and day has been changed.
The fixture
and venue is now, Saturday April 6th and will be played at Adams Park, High
Wycombe at 3.00pm. Coach travel is available from the club and is priced at £28.
Please ring the ticket office to book.
Well as some
of you know, our very own Jamie Langley is venturing into the business world.
Along with Wayne Godwin and Duane Straugheir they have made a brand known as We
Are Taurus. Players and fans alike are already sporting the brand with
T-shirts, hooded tops and vests proving popular.
The We Are
Taurus brand is now available and the website is to be launched on Saturday the
6th April. We Are Taurus will
be offering personal training, Schools coaching and sports massage along with a
clothing line. For more information please check out the website which is www.wearetaurus.co.uk
Events at the Provident Stadium.
Friday 12th
April
The Coral
stand will be the host for the Northern Soul Night. There will be an Evening of
Northern Soul, Mod and Ska in the Coral Stand at the Provident Stadium.
There will be live music from Top Band True
Brit and a DJ will be playing until 1.00am
The event starts at 7.30 and the cost is just
£6.00.
For further
details on True Brit log onto their website:
Saturday 13th
April
Fans Forum
There is to be a Fans
forum held in the coral stand at 7pm.
Omar Khan and Gerry
Sutcliffe will be answering your questions and informing fans of what is going
on at the club.
Wednesday 15th
May
The Secret Garden Fashion Show
Our very own
Kate Hardcastle is hosting a fashion event in the coral stand showcasing men’s,
women’s and children’s fashion lines. There will be stalls and some retail surprises
also.
Tickets are
priced at £10 or £20 VIP. Tickets are available from the Bulls ticket office or
online at www.bradfordbulls.co.uk
Saturday 25th
May
The 80’s
Strike Back
The first
concert to be held at the Provident Stadium.
The Line-up
for the night is Rick Astley, Belinda Carlisle, The Real Thing, Roland Gift, Go
West Altered Images and all are backed by the amazing Rewind Allstar Band.
Tickets are
available from only £19.50 per person.
Tickets are
selling fast so to be sure of your ticket, Order online via the Bulls website
Well for
another week, that is it. Thank you to everyone who takes there time to read
BULLieve.
Next week
BULLieve will be back to its usual slot of 8pm Monday. So until then, Have a
great week and don’t stop BULLieving.
Article
written by Jay Leeming.
