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.
