Ryan hat-trick helps Bradford beat Toulouse

Betfred Super League

Bradford Bulls (10) 18

Tries: Blake, Ryan 3 Goals: Milnes

Toulouse (6) 6

Tries: Marion Goals: Rouge

Ethan Ryan's first Super League hat-trick helped Bradford Bulls register consecutive wins as they ended Toulouse's 100% start.

The 29-year-old came up with three excellent finishes in the corner to take the game away from the French side, who had previously seen off Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers to begin their first season in the competition in style.

The wind played havoc with the kicking of both sides, but Waqa Blake and Ryan's first of the day, replying to Anthony Marion's opening try, had Bulls' noses in front at half-time.

Ryan added two more after the break and some resolute Bradford defence ensured the visitors went home empty-handed.

The clash of two competition newcomers at Odsal was a tight and often scrappy affair, with the stiff wind playing a big part, but Ryan's finishing proved decisive.

Toulouse had begun their first season in Super League with those two big wins and they went close to building a decent lead here too but Cesar Rouge's early penalty in front of the posts was blown away by the breeze, then Lambert Belmas collided with a post and lost control as he looked certain to score the first try.

Rowan Milnes edged Bulls ahead with a penalty, his only success from five kicks, but Toulouse captain Marion went over to put his side in front, with Rouge converting.

A step, acceleration and determined finish from Blake levelled the scores and Bulls took the lead with the best move of the match. Connor Wynne's rampaging run dragged in defenders, the ball was quickly switched left and Luke Hooley beautifully touched the ball on for Ryan to finish in the corner.

With the wind such a factor, Bulls played percentage rugby in the second half and it paid off as they drove the ball up under the posts and Ryan jumped to collect Milnes' chip and then spin away from a poor tackle attempt by Paul Ulberg.

Bulls wrapped it up as full-back Caleb Aekins cut out two defenders with a fine pass and Ryan steamed over for his third try to complete his first treble since 2023.

Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty told BBC Radio Leeds:

"It was long, scrappy and messy but it's good to come out of the other side and win those games. We showed we can win ugly.

"You have to pay respect to Toulouse, they're a really dogged and gritty team. So we had to be patient and probably didn't move the ball as much as we have done, or planned to, but ultimately the work we did and our yardage laid a platform.

"We have a big two weeks coming up, which we just spoke about as a team so we have to keep doing that all season.

On the combination of Blake and Ryan on the left: "They're both big bodies and carry the ball, both strong, both gifted rugby players, and you have to have a philosophy of getting the ball to them and we do, so you see the best version of Waqa in particular, because he's getting the ball in good areas and showing his class."

Toulouse coach Sylvain Houles said:

"We couldn't put our rugby in place, but credit to them, I thought they executed it pretty well.

"Our energy was a little bit below our standard today and it is probably down to Bradford turning up and being a little bit more competitive than us. They deserved the win."

Bradford Bulls: Aekins; Wynne, Marsters, Blake, Ryan; Hooley, Milnes; Sutton, Ackers, Lewis, Chamberlain, Fulton, Mellor.

Replacements: Souter, Douglas, Doro, Peposhi.

Toulouse: Ashall-Bott; Laguerre, Jussaume, Rennie, Ulberg; Lacans, Rouge; Belmas, Hands, Dupree, Bretherton, Lima, Marion

Replacements: Cator, Butler, Roumanos, Wallace.

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas.