Bulls keep Warriors at bay

Bradford gained revenge for last season's play-off defeat by Wigan with a 26-12 win at Odsal.

The last time these two teams met on this ground in September, Wigan famously overturned a 30-6 deficit.

They did manage a second-half fightback of sorts this time, but ultimately the Bulls proved more resolute than they had on that shocking night.

Bradford raced into an early lead with tries from Semi Tadulala, Shontayne Hape and Ben Jeffries.

Wigan responded through Pat Richards and Phil Bailey in the second half but the Bulls just had enough and James Evans settled the win in the last minute.

Tadulala claimed the first Bulls score when Glenn Morrison put him over in the corner after six minutes and Hape doubled the advantage with a storming run from a David Solomona pass.

Former Wigan hooker Terry Newton then created the third when his heavy-looking kick bounced kindly behind the posts to sit up nicely for Jeffries to pounce.

Fit-again scrum-half Paul Deacon, restored as kicker despite Iestyn Harris landing a club record 15 goals in last week's 98-6 Challenge Cup rout of Toulouse, converted one and added a later penalty.

Momentum

Wigan struggled to gain momentum with one promising move ending as Darrell Goulding tossed the ball into touch and another when Evans got back to beat Richards to a Barrett kick.

A powerful Iafeta Palea'aesina break also came to nothing and all Wigan had to show for their first-half efforts was a Richards penalty in added-on time.

The Bulls again looked the dominant force at the start of the second half with Harris going close and further pressure almost creating a chance for Evans.

But Wigan's defence toughened up after the break and Richards threw his side a lifeline by grabbing a try in the corner just after the hour.

Deacon edged the Bulls further in front with another penalty but Wigan set up a tense finish with a controversial second try.

Suspicion

Micky Higham powered forward after the Bulls had thought Gareth Hock had knocked on and then there seemed a suspicion of a forward pass before Bailey touched down.

Richards converted to cut the deficit to 18-12, but Deacon eased the Odsal fans' nerves with another goal.

Evans then made sure of the victory in the final minute with a try out wide after a break down the right, which Deacon coverted.

Victory means Bradford take over from Wigan in fourth place in the table.