Bulls charge on with Reds win

The resurgent Bradford Bulls remain in the play-off hunt after a 44-18 win over Salford gave them a fourth Super League victory in a row.

Bradford looked certain to miss out on the play-offs for the first time just a month ago, but their return to form puts them among a group of four clubs chasing eighth place in what will be a pulsating final round of matches.

While Warrington, Catalans Dragons and Harlequins have all faltered, the Bulls have come on strong and, while Catalans remain in pole position, defeat at St Helens would open the door for Bradford, Warrington or Harlequins in a tense finish to the season.

Steve McNamara's Bulls never looked back after scoring two tries in the first four minutes against a stunned Salford side, and the hosts were 24-6 up by half-time.

Centre Chris Nero got the scoreboard ticking over after only 90 seconds, with the first of his three tries, and Salford had no time to recover before he sent his winger Semi Tadulala over for the first of his two.

Power

Back-row forward Jamie Langley added two further tries before the break, and prop Sam Burgess had one disallowed for a double movement as the home side turned on the power.

It was 18-0 after only 11 minutes, but the Reds responded briefly midway through the first half when promising half-back Stefan Ratchford sent winger John Wilshere over and converted the try.

The Bulls lost full-back Dave Halley after 23 minutes with a leg injury but were never seriously troubled by a limited Reds side with nothing to play for but pride.

They achieved that courtesy of late tries by Wilshere and centre Mark Henry, both converted by Ratchford, but by then Nero had completed his hat-trick and Burgess had sent Tadulala over for his second.

Prop Andy Lynch finished off the scoring two minutes from the end when he forced his way over for Bradford's eighth try, with Deacon adding his sixth goal.

It was a sad way for former Bradford captain Robbie Paul to mark his return to Odsal, and his misery was compounded by news of relegation for his new club Leigh - which means he will be playing in the third tier of British rugby league in 2010.