BULLieve
10th march 2014
Good evening and welcome to another edition of BULLieve.
For all our new readers here is a quick run down of how BULLieve has come about.
BULLieve has been set up by the fans, for the fans.
Back in 2013 I was part of a Bulls group on Facebook and was given an admin role, part of the role was to keep members up to date and informed in all things Bradford Bulls. One idea from myself was to write a weekly write up of what had happened all in one place rather than scrolling down groups and pages for missed information. BULLieve was born.
I decided i would start up a blog page for BULLieve and was very basic to say the least and a lot of errors had been made within the blog. As time has gone on I have added pictures and videos and made a unique layout for the blog page itself.
It went official for a short time under OK Bulls LTD but then back independent.
This is a voluntary blog and we do not receive any payment and use our own time to help spread the word to all Bulls fans throughout our fan base.
On the back of this we have also got a Facebook group and also a Twitter account set up solely for BULLieve. The links are; Facebook Group @bullieve2013
The popularity was global and, the page has had over 15,000 views and rising each and everyday. During the off season myself and now team member Thomas Fynn, had been deliberating how we can move BULLieve forward again as, BULLieve had not had a post since June 2013.
Regular readers will notice that the layout has changed and we would like some feedback on the layout and the blog by all readers please.
We had come up with an idea and, due to this we have been able to obtain press passes for the away game with Hull FC in which we would like to express our sincere gratitude to both Hull FC and Bradford Bulls for pointing us in the right direction, all under the name of BULLieve.
As we all know we have off field issues and we here at BULLieve will not be reporting on anything until the new owner/owners are revealed.
The Bradford Bulls has today revealed that Warrington loan player, Danny Bridge has extended his deal with us by another month. This is excellent news as we have a very small squad and Bridge is a great edition to our pack.
So now onto the exclusive match report from Thomas Fynn in the Hull FC media suite.
Good evening and welcome to my first ever blog. I was lucky enough to obtain a press pass for this Fridays game against hull FC enabling myself to gain access to areas that fans are not normally able too. On this note I would like to thank Hull FC in this matter and their hospitality.
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Bradford came into the game brimming with confidence after back to back victories and looking to get the points tally to zero.
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The bulls started brightly and after hull had gifted them possession from kicking out on the full the bulls were soon on hulls 20m line and from the first set of 6 bulls scored via Diskin who burrowed over from dummy half and foster duly adding the extras to make it 6-0.
The bulls had all the early pressure but the scores were soon to be level as a huge hole opened up in the bulls defense as Ellis raced through and scored from close range and whiting adding the extras. Hull now were really piling the pressure on the bulls and forcing 2 goal line drop outs eventually the pressure paid off and Westerman went in at the corner to further the score whiting missing the conversion.
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Once again though it was hull to post the next score with Shaul crossing for the hosts and it seemed that it could become one way traffic at this stage as Bradford were not seeming to gain any ground with ball in hand and some really silly errors creeping into there play. That was until after some great handling and passing from Bradford Purtell managed to squeeze in at the corner and this put the bulls to within 6 points of hull. The bulls in the first half were guilty of there own downfall as Manuokafoa knocked on on the first tackle which immediately saw hull score again with whiting on his 250th appearance racing through to the corner to touch down but unable to add his own score bulls were now struggling. Diskin was replaced by O,Brien but once again after some very sloppy defense hull were able to score with heremia in under the posts. Just before half time and Houghton went in again for the black and whites giving them a 22 point lead at half time and the match seemingly over. Bradford seemed to be very one dimensional. 32-10 half time.
Once the second half begun hull were soon back in there stride when Shaul was the first to react Hornes brilliant kick to touch down. Just when we thought it couldn't get worse Bradford seemed to self destruct Rankin powered over to make it an unassailable 44-10 lead. Until the last 4 minutes that's the way it stayed a brilliant run from Sutcliffe put Bradford in a great position and gales cross field kick was grounded by Henry to give Bradford some consolation. Foster duly added the extras but it was too little too late bulls showing some great skill and determination in the dying minutes. On a sad note Burke came off nursing an injured shoulder and certainly looked in considerable pain and even though hull had won with a comfortable margin also had there own worries with Lineham coming off in the dying seconds.
Hull were very fast and really controlled the ruck far better than bulls.
In the post match interview with Francis Cumming, Francis was full of praise for Hull but admitted himself that it looked like they had not played together for a long time, Burke was sent for an x ray after the game but there were no other concerns injury wise just bumps and bruises and very gracious to Sutcliffe who really did create chances from nothing. Chev walker was rested this week after picking up a knock against London previous week. The second half performance really did please Cummins but is hoping to dust themselves down and get set to go again against the giants. Mullally will miss the game against giants. To hear the exclusive post match interview with head coach Francis Cummins please visit our Facebook page.
Burke is to see a specialist to find out the extent of the injury this week. We have also found out that Hull's Tom Lineham has in fact suffered a broken ankle and, we would like to wish him a speedy recovery.
On Saturday March 8th 2014 it was the turn of the Bradford Bulls academy team to take on Hulls academy team.
The game was played at Bishop Burton college and the home side raced into a comfortable half time lead of 20-10.
The Bulls however were not going to take that lying down. In the second half Hull scored again but that only spurred the lads on and, at the full time whistle the Bulls were victorious with a 26-28 win.
The academy side are now unbeaten in 2 games out of 2 and really put their bodies on the line as, Stephen Copeland ended up with a very nasty gash on his leg which will see a short spell on the sidelines.Well done lads, keep up the great work.
Please turn up to the Provident Stadium in big numbers this coming Sunday 16th March 2014 as we face the Huddersfield Giants with a 3 o'clock kick off.
Lets back the lads now as they need us more than ever before.
As in the previous blogs we would of added the events section but, as we don't know the events we cannot do this.
Special Mentions
we would like to give the following people a special mention.
First and foremost we thank YOU for being the best and loyal supporters in the world!
We give a special mention to our team. Thank you for sticking by us in the good and bad and also the backroom staff who are working tirelessly to keep things going.
Our head coach Francis Cummins and his family as it must be a very tough and trying time right now!
Get well soon to Kirsty Dew who has been struck down with Glandular fever and has been ill for almost a month now! Tom says thank you for putting up with him and his obsession with the Bulls!
Get well soon love from Tom and the boys and Also me and Family.
Happy birthday to Andrew Godwin who turned 51 yesterday (09/03/2014) sent in by his wife Diane Godwin.
We would like to thank Ryan Sparks of Bradford Bulls ( media executive) for helping us in contacting Hull Fc.
Special Thanks go to Hull FCs Matthew Holden (media executive) for our press passes and hospitality.
The BCB Radio team Mark "Hobbo" Hobson and Jonathan "JP" Parry for their continued coverage of all Bulls games for those who, for whatever reason cannot make the game.
The 18th man ( @the18thmanUK ) are looking for writers who would like to get involved in sports media mainly Rugby League. Give them a follow for more details.
As always we would like to thank each and every reader who reads and ask if you would, please share with other Bulls fans.
Until next week,
Don't stop BULLieving!
Jay and Tom.
