Wigan Warriors added some real pressure on table-toppers Leeds Rhinos with a win over Bradford Bulls, with the result now putting the two level on league points.
Wigan secured a 34-6 victory at Odsal, with centre Jake Wardle crossing for two of the six tries. Adam Keighran, Taylor Kerr, Bevan French and Kian McDermott added the other scores.
Wardle was one of two returnees to the side, with positional partner Adam Keighran another man making his comeback. Wigan were without both Brad O’Neill and Sam Walters due to suspension, but that needn’t matter, as they put on a dominant effort against a weak Bradford outfit who were littered with returning players.
Highlighting just how much of a stroll to victory it was, Wigan opted to take off Jai Field with 25 minutes left on the clock. They were 28-0 up at that point, and opted to put young Josh Cartwright on for the final stages.
Bradford would eventually get on the board, with hooker Andy Ackers scoring his first try of the season as he broke through a poor tackle attempt from future Bull Sam Eseh.
Bradford Bulls v Wigan Warriors talking points:
League Leaders Race firmly on:
Wigan’s victory this afternoon puts them level on points with Leeds at the top of Super League, with only points difference separating the two sides.
The Rhinos have a 156 better differential, but what it does mean is that the game between Leeds and Wigan in a few weeks time could well determine who finishes the regular season in pole position, and who misses out.
Add in the fact that Wakefield Trinity lost to St Helens this afternoon in a second-half collapse, it leaves four points between Leeds, Wigan and the chasing pack. Warrington Wolves could halve that deficit with a win on Tuesday, but the race for top spot has taken yet another turn this week, and long may it continue.
Returning centre pair shine:
After both Adam Keighran and Jake Wardle missed last week’s win over Toulouse, both players returned with a bang, scoring a try less than 20 minutes into the contest.
Wardle ran a strong line to break through what had been a very resilient Bulls defence, whilst Keighran was the beneficiary of a deceptive Bevan French pass.
The former added a second try to break the second-half deadlock, with him pouncing on an awful defensive read from Waqa Blake.
Bulls’ double HIA blow:
After half an hour of action, Bradford back rower Phoenix Steinwede left the field for a concussion assessment, which he failed.
After only just returning from injury, the off-contract Aussie, who is confirmed to depart Odsal at the end of the season, will miss next week’s game against Leigh.
Another potential absentee is Zac Fulton, who left the field with seven minutes to go, so it is unconfirmed at present whether he has passed or failed the head test.
Race for the spoon:
Whilst the battle at the top of Super League is providing much entertainment, the race to the bottom is equally as interesting.
Earlier in the week, Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty said that he ‘won’t be losing any sleep’ over the prospect of his side finishing bottom of Super League, but with yet another defeat next to their name, that is becoming a real possibility.
With today’s loss, a win for Huddersfield Giants in this evening’s trip to Toulouse Olympique would see them come away from bottom spot for the first time this year, and would put the Bulls there on points difference.
