Super Cats stun Bulls

Wakefield caused a major upset in the opening round of the new Super League season with a 26-24 victory over Bradford.

A see-saw battle at Belle Vue was edged by the home side thanks to four goals from debutant Danny Brough.

The off-season recruit from promoted Castleford also had a hand in two of the Wildcats' four tries, two of which were scored by Luke George.

Bradford threatened to win it at the death when Paul Sykes late converted try brought them to within two points of their opponents.

However, they were unable to find another score in the closing stages, meaning John Kear's much-changed side held on for a deserved triumph.

New faces

The Wakefield coach will have been particularly pleased to see four of his new faces, Paul Reilly, Brad Drew, Tony Martin and Brough - all play a big part in the victory.

It was Martin's early penalty that put the hosts ahead before Bradford grabbed the first try of the afternoon through Terry Newton.

The hooker had already had one score ruled out for a forward pass when he finished off a flowing move that had all started with a barnstorming break from forward Sam Burgess.

Paul Deacon added the extras but Wakefield produced an impressive response, running in two tries in a three-minute spell that meant they went in at half-time 10-6 ahead.

Drew, such an influential player for Huddersfield, helping them reach the play-offs last year, was crucial in both, starting with Ryan Atkins' 24th-minute effort.

The ball passed through five pairs of hands, including Drew's, for the centre to run in and round off a fine team move.

It was Drew and Brett Ferres who then teamed up to send Reilly over, and although Martin was not able to convert either try, the Wildcats would still have been delighted with their display in the first 40 minutes.

Brilliant Brough

Brough took over the kicking duties after the break and was on target with a penalty attempt and a conversion after his exquisite long pass had set up George to cross in the left corner.

The youngster scored a second with a breakaway run that cancelled out a try for Bradford through full-back Michael Platt.

Newton's second of the afternoon that Deacon converted from in front of the posts set up a tense finish as the Bulls tried to pull off their own version of the great escape.

In the end, though, it was a penalty from Brough in the 76th minute that proved crucial, as the extra two points meant Sykes' late effort was no more than a consolation.