Two in a row for Wakefield

Wakefield Wildcats have secured a 100 per cent Super League success record over the Easter weekend by edging a 24-22 victory against Bradford Bulls.

In a full-blooded West Yorkshire derby, Steve Menzies' brace for the Bulls was countered by tries from Damien Blanch, Danny Brough and Ryan Atkins to ensure John Kear's side held an 18-10 lead at the interval.

The Bulls managed to outscore their opponents two tries to one in the second half, but despite Michael Platt's late effort setting up a nailbiting finish, Wakefield managed to hold on for the win.

The visitors took the lead after seven minutes in a move started when Craig Kopczak sliced through the Wildcats' defence.

Matt Blaymire did well to haul the prop down but a quick play saw the ball worked wide before a well-timed pass from Andy Lynch sent second row Menzies over in the corner.

It only took the home side three minutes to respond, however - Blanch crossing with ease after fast hands and a long pass from skipper Jason Demetriou set him up.

With Brough's conversion moving the Wildcats ahead, their tough tackling - plus a series of handling errors - left the Bulls struggling to find their rhythm.

Nevertheless, they forced their way ahead once more in the 22nd minute after Menzies was the first to seize upon a high, hanging kick towards the corner.

Poor passing

Paul Sykes converted for 10-6 but poor passing from Bradford allowed the Wildcats to cross again in the 32nd minute - scrum-half Brough scooping the loose ball from the turf before outpacing Rikki Sheriffe and diving over in the corner.

Brough ignored the touchline attentions of Bradford's travelling contingent of supporters to slot the conversion and found the target again when Wakefield increased their lead three minutes before the break.

It was Atkins' turn to score, the centre picking the ball up and, after shrugging off the challenges of Worrincy and Dave Halley, he accelerated towards his old club's line.

The second half was in danger of becoming a stop-start affair: handling errors costing Wakefield on more than one occasion, while Bradford's ill-discipline left the home side camped in their half for long periods.

It was such a period of prolonged Wildcats possession that led to their next try in the 53rd minute, second row Steve Snitch bulldozing his way forward to touch down.

Not over

However, the match was far from over and Worrincy pulled one back for the Bulls when he forced his way over with a number of Wakefield defenders still hanging onto him just short of the hour.

Wakefield hearts were then lodged firmly in mouths when full-back Platt crossed five minutes from time, Sykes again converting to set up a grandstand finish.

However, following Friday's 35-6 triumph over Castleford at The Jungle, the Wildcats held on for their second successive victory.