Crusaders off the mark at last

Celtic Crusaders claimed their first Super League win in 12 attempts with a stunning 30-24 success at Bradford.

The Crusaders have endured a torrid start to their tenancy in the top tier but finally put some points on the board after a rollercoaster of a game at Odsal.

Nervously clinging onto a 26-24 lead, Luke Dyer settled the match in the last minute with his second try of the afternoon.

Chris Beasley, David Tangata-Toa and Lincoln Withers also touched down for the visitors.

Josh Hannay's five goals also proved crucial on a wet and gloomy afternoon at the Grattan Stadium.

The error-prone Bulls were far from their best but got themselves back into contention when Paul Sykes slid over to set up a nervy finish with two minutes remaining.

The first half was a tense affair with the Crusaders grinding out an 8-6 lead and Bradford grateful for Andy Lynch's effort seconds before the hooter.

Beasley rushed in to open the scoring after eight minutes as Dave Halley dropped a Jace van Dijk kick.

Halley did much better the next time the Crusaders seriously threatened after a Withers break, sliding in to deal with another probing Van Dijk grubber.

Hannay added a penalty midway through the first half but the Crusaders were almost caught out when the lethargic Bulls finally pieced together a decent move.

Terry Newton broke the line from deep and, with options either side, a try seemed likely but Sykes was unable to take in his pass.

The Crusaders extended their lead with a Hannay goal four minutes before the break but referee James Child might have considered awarding a penalty try after Withers was impeded by Ben Jeffries.

Pounced

With the interval approaching, Bradford at last managed to get themselves on the scoreboard as Ben Flower spilled Jeffries' kick and Lynch pounced.

Paul Deacon converted but it did not spark an immediate Bulls revival as the Crusaders upped a gear to take a firm grip with two tries early in the second half.

Tangata-Toa grabbed the first of them when he barged his way over from close range and Withers followed him over when he raced on to a clever kick by Matty Smith.

Hannay converted both to give the Welsh side a 20-6 lead with 30 minutes remaining.

Bradford needed to respond and at last managed to put the Crusaders under pressure as Anthony Blackwood conceded a drop out.

It proved too much for Celtic and Jeffries sent Michael Worrincy through a gap to give the Bulls hope.

Deacon further reduced the deficit but the Crusaders were unbowed and Dyer brilliantly leapt above Michael Platt to touch down a Van Dijk kick for a fourth try.

Yet back the Bulls came and cut the gap to 24-18 with 11 minutes remaining as Jeffries sent over veteran Australian Steve Menzies with a smart reverse pass and Deacon goaled.

Hannay gave the Crusaders more breathing space with a coolly taken penalty from halfway with five minutes left.

Sykes forced his way through a gap to set up a tense finale, but Dyer found space out wide in the dying seconds to confirm an historic victory for the Super League newcomers.