Not a happy Easter for the Bulls. 

Welcome to this weeks edition of BULLieve. By Thomas Fynn. 23/4/14

I think every bulls supporter knew that this Easter period was going to be tough, probably tougher than any other one we have ever known before, going into Thursdays game the bulls were privileged to introduce a true former legend of the bulls no other than Lesley vainikolo. At this moment how we would love to have someone similar with the power and pace that "the volcano" brought. He was introduced to the crowd before the game to probably the biggest cheer of the night, it certainly brought a reminder of what the bulls once were. With positive developments happening behind the scenes at odsal with a new club shop and ticket office now completed momentum is building but it's the on the field issues that will determine the fate of the bulls and after another performance below par against Leeds and a host of fresh injuries to an already depleted squad it's worrying times for the bulls and we are now in a territory we have never experienced as bradford supporters. 

Bradford Bulls 6 Leeds Rhinos 46 Thursday 17th april 2014

Bradford got off to a disastrous start and were blown away by the sheer power strength and quality of the Leeds attack, it took the rhinos no time to post there first points in only the 3rd minute with some neat handling saw hardaker held up over the the line, but moments later McGuire stabbed the ball forward on the last tackle to see sinfield take the ball greatfully and score with ease and easily adding the extras. It didn't take much longer for the rhinos to go in again with moon in the left corner on the 9th minute. 3 minutes later it got worse for the bulls as McGuire danced through the bulls lackluster defence to score all too easily. Leeds were relentless in attack and claimed there 4th try on the 15th minute when it was once again great handling that sent in hall in the left corner. Leeds in complete control and cruising with only 15 minutes played 20-0. At this point bradford had not completed a set as Leeds dominated possession and territory coach Francis cummins rung the changes and eventually established a foot hold in a game that was quickly running away, the bulls finally breached the rhinos defence with a superb individual effort from lee Gaskell showing great pace to run 80 metres and outstrip the rhinos defence, gale adding the extras, suddenly the bulls found some momentum with Luke gale away on a fine break driving at the heart of the rhinos defence but a long pass from Gaskell went astray and put paid to a promising move sadly that was about as good as it got for the bulls. 

With matty Blythe departing from the action at half time it prompted another re shuffle within the bulls camp the game began to get scrappy at times but it was Leeds with the attack and further scores from hall x2 sutcliffe Watkins and burrow put Leeds  in firm control and worthy victors over a bulls outfit lacking in confidence and direction. Bulls injuries are Blythe (knee) Donaldson (ankle) Sidlow (back) Gaskell (ankle) Leeds also lost there highly rated youngster Stevie ward to injury best wishes to all and a speedy recovery. 

Into other news now before moving onto the Easter Monday game at the DW stadium. Bulls owner Marc green has confirmed that he wants to buy back the lease for odsal from the RFL. There is also the news of a price comparison website called bullpower and is solely for bulls fans we can log onto this bullsenergy.com the club will be rewarded too and supporters get discount in the shop too or a voucher. FORWARD Danny Bridge has been recalled by parent club Warrington Wolves and returns to The Halliwell Jones Stadium with immediate effect.

The 21-year-old Ireland international has spent the past two months with Bradford Bulls, making eight appearances in First Utility Super League.

He today departs The Provident Stadium and has come in for considerable praise from Bulls head coach Francis Cummins.

“Danny has been very good for us and has served us well over the past eight weeks or so,” said Cummins.

“I would like to thank Warrington for allowing Danny to come here and do a job for us, while, at times, playing out of position.

“Obviously, losing him is a blow for us – but loan signings are never truly guaranteed.

“I believe Danny will have benefitted from the experience and game-time received here.

“On behalf of the Bulls, we wish him well for the future.”

Cummins' side return to action on Sunday, with Catalan Dragons visiting The Provident Stadium in round five of the Tetley's Challenge Cup (kick-off 3.00pm).

Tickets for the clash are priced at £15 (adults), £10 (concessions), £10 (students) and £5 (juniors) – but will rise by £5 on the day of the game.

BRADFORD BULLS welcome Warrington Wolves to The Provident Stadium a week on Sunday after the Catalans cc5th round and are providing BELONG 2014 season-ticket holders with an exclusive opportunity to enjoy all of the action – in style – at a discounted price.

For just £24.95, season-tickets holders can take in the First Utility Super League round-eleven contest from the comfort of Bradford Bulls' Legends Suite's balcony as part as one of our fantastic hospitality packages.

The Conference & Banqueting Stand will not only provide the perfect setting for an afternoon of entertainment, hosted by CEO Robbie Hunter-Paul, those in attendance are to enjoy a delcious two-course meal.

Hunter-Paul will be joined by a host of Bradford and Warrington Wolves legends, who will provide a detailed insight into the game while conducting interviews with members of the first team squad.

And you will be able to dine with them, before taking part in a pre-match entertainment, which is to include a quiz, where guests will have the opportunity to win brilliant prizes.

Following the game, guests will be invited back into the Legends Suite, where post-match presentations, with Bulls head coach Francis Cummins and the man of the match, are to be held.

This exclusive package, priced at just £24.95 for season-ticket holders and £29.95 for non-season ticket holders, also includes car parking passes (one per four guests) and a matchday magazine. To book call 08448 711 490. There are also other availability for none season ticket holders contact the bulls to confirm this any queries please e mail laura.hutchinson@bradfordbulls.co.uk 

So we move onto the Wigan game I'm not going to drag this on as we are aware the bulls fell to there heaviest defeat in there history they sailed into a straight 84-6 victory very disappointing indeed and was very much one way traffic and to add more to our woes Oliver Roberts has broken his leg dismal afternoon for any travelling bulls fan. Bulls were swatted away like flies if this had been a boxing match it would have been stopped at half time. Now is the time though for all of us to stand together and we have to shout louder than ever before and cheer even in defeat we must must BULLieve COME ON YOU BULLS. 

Just a final note too if any fan at the game at odsal hears any abusive language and you do not wish to be seen talking to a steward then text 07506 605125 brief description and your best location as possible to assist there are metal stanchions at the back of the all the stands and have letters on to assist. Finally Danny bridge has been recalled by the wolves. Thanks for reading and don't forget if your a rugby league fan and on twitter or Facebook follow or like @the18thman on Facebook the 18th man just BULLieve and cheer on the lads.

Good evening and welcome to this weeks edition of BULLieve. By Thomas Fynn 

Apologies regarding last weeks issue as I was unable to get it up and running in time and by the time I did have it sorted it would not load due to server issues so my sincere apologies to you all. 

We shall begin with the news that the bulls have appealed the 6 point deduction handed to us on the 25th February, this did deal us with a massive blow and really put our survival hopes in jeopardy. As we are all aware the bottom 2 teams will be relegated. There is no news as of yet when the hearing will be held but the appeal could not be held until the terms of ownership were resolved. As far as the process goes there is a sporting appeal panel set up by the RFL and includes an Independant tribunal chairman and and an insolvency practitioner basically they hear the case and make a decision on the appeal and to see whether our administration was avoidable or not I think that's about it in a nutshell so I hope that clears a few things up. 

So let's move onto Fridays game there were signs of hope and encouragement but we need consistency and the full 80 minutes too so here we go Bradford Bulls vs Salford Red Devils at the provident stadium Odsal. 

The bulls were hopefull that after the recent of change of coaches that it could be possible to wipe out the -2 points sadly it was not be 

The devils started the game under the new guidance of  our former player Iestyn Harris at times the devils were just too quick and vibrant mainly during the first 40 minutes. The bulls were hopefull that after the recent of change of coaches that it could be possible to wipe out the -2 points sadly it was not be. For the first time in weeks and at Francis cummins disposal there were 5 props available in the shape of manukafoua, walker, mullally, sidlow and fakir. Cummins chose to start with manakafoua and walker with the others on the bench which in turn meant Danny addy missed out altogether. 

The game itself also saw the return of Matt diskin and stand off  Lee Gaskell after injury which served a huge boost to the squad, even the omission of Tom Olbison and Danny bridge raised some eyebrows on the terraces. 

Gaskell really showed his true qualities in no less than 2 minutes into the game with a great kick inside the right but Salford dealt with it and with this opened the scoring 3 minutes later, it was that man again Rangi chase who advanced forward and slipped in a neat pass to hock who left the bulls in his wake before another neat off load sent in mullaney over the try line. He could not convert tho. Salford and especially chase looked in control and Bradford needed to steady the ship and quickly too as chase was really pulling the strings. About 14 minutes gone the bulls came up with decent pressure and with a good run from Purtell made very good ground, Salford defending brilliantly. The bulls did there best with gale and a crossfield kick to the right corner but meli literally plucked the ball from the air with soon almost over himself when Kearney came up with a superb effort to deny meli in the corner once again though chase at the heart of the attack. Then the Bulls hit back when Luke gales own kick fell back to him to send in Purtell from close range. Foster converted 6-4. Sadly after this it didn't get much better for the bulls. Many fans vented there frustrations at the referee Phil Bentham after a harsh call of a knock on after some really good neat play with Adam Henry. The supporters were furious and it didn't get much better as in the next set sa'u went over the line. With the conversion going over it was soon the bulls fans to further vent frustration when gale collected fergusons off load and when thru the gap for a certain try but the ref called them back for a forward pass. To be fair it did look like the right call. Once again tho Salford found there way in again bulls defence could not deal with the ball and actually almost criminal with ashurst grounding the ball with his first touch. 

After the break the bulls were really looking to hit back and what a response from o brien to get over the line and foster converting with ease moments later gale found Gaskell and his kick was collected by kear only to be denied by sa'u with a great try saving tackle hope though was soon crushed as poor defence let in puletua from a Tomkins pass.

Baradford did reply again with kear and a superb individual effort was just not enough as once again the orchestra of Rangi chase went over and provided a superb pass to Mali to send him over. Adam Henry grabbed a late consolation try from close range and the score stood Bulls 24 Devils 38. In the post match interview cummins admitted to not keeping teams under enough pressure for longer periods, And giving Salford too much possession and cheap ball away as always Francis was respectfully to the referee saying most decisions were 50-50. 

So with the disappointment of this result a tough Easter is ahead with the visit of our arch rivals no other than the Leeds Rhinos and a trip to Wigan as well. Don't forget folks you have the chance to join someone very special at the rhinos game no other than Lesley Vanikolo. The volcano spent 6 years with the bulls and was huge part in our treble winning side of 2003. The big man himself has already quoted "I feel like I'm coming home" if anyone is interested in securing a package in the coral Stand please call 08448 711 490 or you can e mail laura.hutchinson@bradfordbulls.co.uk for all other info you can e mail the bulls @bradfordbulls.co.uk. 

Just a few stats on The Volcano before I go played 152 tries 149 his last try was at headingly in a 36-14 win 4 grand finals 3 world club challenge and 1 challenge cup final. 

Hope you all enjoyed this weeks BULLieve take care all and on one other note away from rugby league RIP to the 96 as we all aware of the tragedy which surrounds the hillsbrough disaster keep well all and take care and most of all always BULLieve goodnight Tom.