Vainikolo breaks Viking resistance to end Bulls' Odsal jinx
Bradford Bulls 40 Widnes Vikings 8
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.Bradford Bulls rediscovered their lost art of winning at Odsal Stadium yesterday to move within two points of Super League leaders Leeds, and with a game in hand, overpowering Widnes after initially meeting stout resistance.
After losing each of their previous three home games the Bulls were expecting a severe test from a Widnes side with play-off ambitions of their own, especially after their recent wins over Leeds and Hull.
The Vikings defended heroically in the first-half and took an early 6-0 lead, but they finally bowed to the weight of Bulls possession from a huge pack led by Paul Anderson, Joe Vagana and the impressive Daniel Gartner, with Paul Deacon typically inventive and involved at half-back.
Adam Hughes punished Tevita Vaikona's indecision to react first to Dean Lawford's raking kick and grab an opportunist Widnes try that Jules O'Neill converted. But three times Widnes were forced to drop out from beneath their own posts and with Leon Pryce and James Lowes both being held up over the Widnes line on their backs, there was a certain inevitability about the Bulls' three tries in a 13-minute spell before the break, given the pressure they exerted.
From the scrum feed following Lowes's near-miss, Shontayne Hape stretched over on the left, Lesley Vainikolo finished a sweeping passing move by blasting over by the corner-flag and Lee Radford supported a superb Vaikona off-load to cross, with Deacon adding two conversions.
Dan Potter's superb try-saving tackle on Vainikolo showed that the Vikings had lost none of their determination on the resumption and Jules O'Neill reduced the arrears with a 40-metre penalty. But Vainikolo hit back with the game-clinching try on 56 minutes, taking Deacon's drop-off pass and powering throughfor a close-range try that, with Deacon's goal, opened up a 22-8 lead.
Leon Pryce's clever approach play led to Vaikona going over on the right after the Widnes winger Jason Demetriou conceded another drop-out after foiling Vainikolo's hat-trick attempt.
Then, as the Bulls turned the screw, Stuart Reardon pounced for their third try in an inspired seven-minute spell after Deacon's kick ricocheted behind the Vikings line.
Shane Millard then lost the ball over the line in an isolated Vikings raid before Deacon was denied a try on the line. Radford's second try saw the Bulls finish with a flourish, Deacon adding his sixth goal.
Bradford: Reardon; Vaikona, Naylor, Hape, Vainikolo; Pryce, Deacon; Vagana, Lowes, Anderson, Gartner, Peacock, Forshaw. Substitutes used: Gilmour, Langley, Radford, Parker.
Widnes: Spruce; Potter, Demetriou, Hughes, Devlin; Jules O'Neill, Lawford; Relf, Millard, Julian O'Neill, Hay, Finnigan, Frame. Substitutes used: Cantillon, Farrell, Mills, McCurrie.
Referee: A Klein (London).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments