Crusaders slay Bulls

Crusaders ended their four-game Super League losing streak with a comprehensive victory over Bradford.

Both sides shipped more than 50 points last week but it was the Welsh side who responded better, claiming their third win in four contests against the Bulls.

The Crusaders quickly put their defeat at Harlequins behind them as former Wales rugby union legend Gareth Thomas finished off a neat movement involving Mark Bryant and Tony Martin to grab the opening score.

It got better for the Welshmen when a sweeping move inside the Bulls' 22 saw the Crusaders create a two-man overlap that centre Vince Mellars turned into a second try.

It started to look like one-way traffic when second rower Weller Hauraki was put over under the sticks by scrum-half Rhys Hanbury, with full-back Clinton Schifcofske converting all three touchdowns.

All that changed, though, as the Bulls found their way into the home 25 for the first time in the match and saw centre Chris Nero go over in the corner after being put over by full-back Dave Halley.

And Halley rounded off a neat move to strike under the posts which, with Paul Sykes' conversion, brought the Bulls within eight points before a Schifcofske penalty increased the lead to 20-10 at the break.

Second row Michael Worriney grabbed Bradford's third try but the Bulls found the 10-point deficit restored when Martin rounded off a flowing attack down the right.

Desperate

Bradford were dominating towards the hour, and only a desperate hand of Mellars stopped Joe Wardle snatching the try.

But a lack of concentration let the Bulls down as Chris Nero dropped the ball with the line at their mercy.

And for all that pressure and the near-misses from Bradford, it was the Crusaders who scored next from one of the few chances they had in the second half.

The game was sealed for the Welshmen when the outstanding Rhys Hanbury put Nick Youngquest in near the posts.

Then it was exhibition time as Lincoln Withers and Martin combined before the Crusaders' hooker plunged over.

Elliot Whitehead's final try for the Bulls was merely consolation, as the hosts claimed their sixth Super League win of the season.