Bradford (10) 24
Tries: Elima, Diskin, Kearney, Sykes
Goals: Ah Van 4
Harlequins (4) 22
Tries: Pryce 3, Clubb
Goals: Gale 3

On-loan Karl Pryce has scored five tries in six matches for Harlequins

Bradford Bulls leapfrogged Harlequins to climb to seventh in Super League as they claimed a third straight home win.

On-loan ex-Bradford centre Karl Pryce marked his return to Odsal with a hat-trick of tries but it was not enough to prevent Quins' third successive defeat.

First-half tries for Olivier Elima and Matt Diskin were bolstered after the break by Brett Kearney and Paul Sykes.

After starting the season with two defeats, Mick Potter's men have now won four out of their last six games.

Pryce, who left Bradford for rugby union five years ago, gave the Londoners an early lead.

He then touched down twice more in the second half, the second of them in the last minute, to take his try tally to five in six appearances since arriving on loan from Wigan.

And he almost claimed a fourth try, being turned on his back over the line, as Rob Powell's side made Bradford fight all the way for their third straight home win.

The Bulls had teenage prop forward Tom Burgess, younger brother of England international Sam, making his debut at 18 as they earned a scratchy victory despite the absence of six regulars through injury.

And, having had to cope with the death of his father Andy, who lost his battle with cancer a week ago at the age of 43, fellow prop Craig Kopczak produced a man-of-the-match performance.

Quins, who also gave a debut to a young prop, 20-year-old Rob Thomas, were the better side in a scrappy opening quarter.

They drew first blood on 15 minutes when Pryce took Chad Randall's long, lofted pass to grab his first try. But the Bulls responded with two tries in four minutes just before the break.

Second rower Olivier Elima, who had twice spilled the ball, this time clung onto Kearney's pass to touch down, Patrick Ah Van's conversion edging the Bulls in front.

Quins then succumbed a second time in the last move of the half when hooker Matt Diskin took Marc Herbert's short pass to force his way over to make it 10-4 at half-time.

The Londoners drew level within three minutes of the restart when Pryce took Randall's pass and wrong-footed the Bradford defence to score his second try, Luke Gale converting.

But Bradford regained the lead on 52 minutes when Kearney gathered fellow Australian half-back Herbert's high kick to force his way over.

Ah Van kicked the conversion, adding what proved to be a crucial penalty to put his side two scores in front before centre Paul Sykes made sure of victory when he took Herbert's short pass to score Bradford's fourth try.

At 24-10, Harlequins were not finished, Pryce's mazy run setting up England centre Tony Clubb to go over for a third try nine minutes from time.

But Pryce did not complete his hat-trick until two minutes from the end. And, although Gale kicked a third goal from four attempts, there was no time for the Londoners to push for victory.

Bulls assistant coach Francis Cummins:

"I knew Harlequins would keep going to the end. But we've got the two points and that's all we were after.

"I thought Tom Burgess did very well. He's a big unit and takes some stopping.

"And hats off to Craig Kopczak. He's done his family proud with the way he handled himself throughout a difficult time."

Harlequins coach Rob Powell:

"We ended up lowering our standards in a poor game. There were two teams making errors and giving away penalties.

"We didn't create the momentum or build pressure until the last 15 minutes when we scored some tries.

"Karl Pryce was very good. He looked threatening and defended really well. He was our main positive. Other than that, there wasn't too much for us to shout about today."

Bradford: Sykes; Ainscough, Walker, Royston, Ah Van; Kearney, Herbert; Lynch, Diskin, Hargreaves, Elima, Olbison, Donaldson.
Replacements: Addy, Whitehead, Kopczak, Burgess.

Harlequins: Dorn; Melling, Clubb, Pryce, Calderwood; Gale, Randall; Ward, Ellis, Temata, Purdham, Koupartisas, Bailey.
Replacements: Wilkes, Thomas, Bryan, O'Callaghan.

Attendance: 12,354.

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France).

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