Paul brothers ensure Bradford are off to Murrayfield
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Withers, the player at the heart of Bradford's last disappointment in a big game, experienced the other side of the coin as they cruised through this one.
The Bulls were eventually comfortable winners of Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final, but as with their defeat by St Helens in the Super League Grand Final last autumn, much hinged on the video referee's scrutiny of a crucial incident.
Last year, Withers' fingertips on the ball denied Leon Pryce a try that could have won it. On Saturday it took just as long to decide that the Bradford substitute, Bernard Dwyer, had not touched the ball as his first tackle of the game knocked it out of Danny Farrar's arms for Withers to score a 59th-minute try that put Bradford on their way to victory.
"It was like déjà vu," he said. "When the referee went to the screen it brought back a lot of memories of last year but I got the right call this time. There was a couple of minutes tension but I knew it hadn't touched Bernard so it was a fair try."
It was a tribute to Warrington, after their 58-4 thrashing by the same opponents last week, that it took so long for the pivotal moments of the match to unfold.
They went about their uphill task with commendable optimism, led twice and had other try-scoring chances, but always looked destined to succumb in the end to the superior power and fluency of a Bradford side with the Paul brothers close to the top of their form.
Robbie Paul had a particularly eventful afternoon, twice going off for running repairs, including five stitches in a ripped upper lip, returning to score a try and play a creative role in others. "I came back from the changing rooms after being stitched up mentally fired up and wanting to get into the game," he said.
He did just that, taking James Lowes' pass for his try and exerting his influence on just about everything that happened afterwards.
With him, and his brother Henry, in this mood few will bet against them, even if it is against the holders, Leeds, at Murrayfield on 29 April.
Bradford Bulls: Spruce; McAvoy, Naylor, Withers, Pryce; H Paul, R Paul; McDermott, Lowes, Anderson, Peacock, Forshaw, Mackay. Substitutes used: Fielden, Brooker, Dwyer, Smith.
Warrington Wolves: Penny; Hunte, Kohe-Love, Roper, Forster; Briers, Langer; Gee, Farrar, Nutley, McCurrie, Guisset, Nikau. Substitutes used: Knott, Hilton, Sibbit, Blakeley.
Referee: R Smith (Castleford).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments