Ex-Bradford Bulls star still blames himself for heart breaking defeat

Once upon a time, Bradford Bulls fans were accustomed to major wins and big moments.

Whether it was Grand Final triumphs such as in 2001, 2003 and 2005, wins to secure top spot, dramatic comebacks like their fightback against Halifax in 1997 or even Challenge Cup Final wins, Bulls fans couldn’t get enough of it and one of those was young Sam Hallas who grew up as a Bradford supporter before signing for Leeds Rhinos as a youngster as Bradford slipped into the Championship as their success dried up and financial issues arose.

However, in 2019 they were able to enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane when they took on the Rhinos at Odsal in the Challenge Cup and stunned them 24-22 which Hallas truly enjoyed:

“That was ace, there was a good feeling all week and we had a meeting about what the win would mean and a couple of people got emotional about it.

“For me it wasn’t about being bitter because they’d let me go, that’s just sport, for me I was a Bradford fan growing up so I thought I might never get this chance again and when we did it was one of the best feelings in the world and to get a try as well which was fantastic.

“Then we couldn’t get the job done against Halifax which was annoying really.”

However, the now Hunslet hooker blames himself of the defeat that came in the cup against Halifax and ended the fairy tale prematurely:

“It was really annoying and what makes it worse, I didn’t push hard enough on Jordan Lilley’s inside when he makes a break and that still haunts me to this day, it haunts me to this day and hurts me professionally and cuts deep.

“It was a gutting result.”