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Celtic Crusaders 12-34 Bradford

Celtic Crusaders (0) 12
Tries: Withers, Smith Goals: Quinn (2)

Bradford (18) 34
Tries: Morrison, Whitehead, Halley, Lynch 2, Tadulala Goals: Deacon (5)


Bradford's Rikki Sheriffe halts Peter Lupton
Bradford's Rikki Sheriffe halts Peter Lupton at the Brewery Field

Bradford Bulls kept their slim play-off hopes alive with a six-try victory over bottom-placed Celtic Crusaders.

The Bulls led 18-0 at the break with tries from Glen Morrison, Elliott Whitehead, Dave Halley and Paul Deacon's three goals.

Andy Lynch's try increased the lead after half-time with Deacon also adding his fourth goal of the match.

Lincoln Withers and Matty Smith crossed for the Crusaders but tries from Lynch and Semi Tadulala sealed the victory.

Crusaders full-back Damien Quinn also sent over two conversions in total while Deacon took his tally for the evening to five goals, which included one penalty.

Despite the victory the Bulls remain in 12th place but closed the gap on Hull above them, although a play-off place still remains a faint possibility.


Bradford Bulls coach Steve McNamara:
"I thought we were efficient and we got done what we had to get done.

"We acted in a professional manner because this is a difficult place to come.

"The travelling was tough for us yesterday and we had a bit of illness overnight but I think the players conducted themselves professionally and held onto the ball for the majority of the game.

"Recent results are obviously denting them a little but we got in front and stayed in front. Good luck to the Crusaders. I'm pleased they are in the competition because it is great for Super League and I hope they go from strength to strength as an organisation."

Crusaders boss John Dixon:
"Our concern today is that we didn't turn opportunity into points. I thought in the first-half we had some opportunities to score points and make the score much closer.

"We were down three tries to nil by half time, but we certainly in that first half had three or four golden opportunities to score.

"There were times when we didn't back ourselves and just go. There were times we didn't pass, there were times we didn't catch, but if we'd done any of those things there were certainly three or four tries in the offing."


Celtic Crusaders: Quinn, Tyrer, Hannay, Dalle Cort, Blackwood, Smith, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, J. James, Beasley, Lupton.
Replacements: Budworth, Flower, Tangata-Toa, Lennon.

Bradford: Halley, Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Tadulala, Sykes, Deacon, Lynch, Godwin, Scruton, Whitehead, Morrison, Langley.
Replacements: Burgess, Donaldson, Newton, Worrincy.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse)



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see also
Hull 22-6 Celtic Crusaders
17 Jul 09 |  Rugby League
Bradford 14-20 Wigan
19 Jul 09 |  Rugby League
Rugby League on the BBC
15 Oct 10 |  Rugby League
Rugby league commentaries
03 Apr 10 |  Rugby League


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