With the Challenge Cup on this weekend, it means that the Championship is the highest-level domestic league playing and it’s treated fans to an absolute belter with Bradford Bulls edging Toulouse Olympique at Odsal.
It marks the second time in two weeks that the French side have been beaten after Swinton Lions went to France and defeated Sylvain Houlles’ side.
Eamon O’Carroll’s Bradford side have now done the same at home to breathe fire into their Championship campaign which has now seen wins over fancied sides Featherstone and Toulouse, last season’s first and second-placed teams.
What was more impressive from Bradford was that they managed to come behind which showed a resilience that the team could be accused of not having had in recent years.
That early try was scored by Jake Shorrocks after just three minutes but strong defence saw the Bulls keep the Olympians out and avoid a home collapse.
Shorrocks did add to his try with a penalty just before the 20th minute to make it 8-0 but the Bulls hit back within five minutes through Kieran Gill who snatched up Jordan Lilley’s smart grubber kick.
Lilley then converted that score and just two minutes later Aussie recruit Zac Fulton raced to the corner to send Bradford 10-8 in front. Lilley added another two with the boot before the break to send Bradford in 12-8 up.
Bradford built pressure early in the second half as they capitalised on the man advantage after Brochon was sin-binned and that pressure paid dividends when in the 51st minute Gill scored again.
Jordan Lilley’s boot added the extra and after a staunch 20 minutes from the Bulls he added a crucial drop goal to make it 19-12 and help secure the win for the Bulls, sending the team to fourth place in the Championship.
It’s a huge show of strength by the Bulls as they continue to develop under new head coach Eamon O’Carroll.
⏲️ FULL-TIME | C’est magnifique! pic.twitter.com/6mph3dc5Hy
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) April 13, 2024
