 | MATCH SUMMARY Bradford: (8) 23
Tries: Langley, Bai, Hape, Gene
Goals: Deacon 3
Drop goal: Deacon Hull: (6) 12
Try: R Horne 2
Goals: Brough 2 |
Hull's defence of the Challenge Cup came to an early end as they fell to defeat against Bradford at Odsal. Jamie Langley's try and two Paul Deacon kicks gave Bradford an early 8-0 lead, before Hull hit back through Richard Horne for an 8-6 half-time score.
Iestyn Harris' vision saw Bradford's Marcus Bai and Shontayne Hape stretch their lead after the break.
Horne crossed again to cut the gap, but a late try from Bradford replacement Stanley Gene sealed Hull's fate.
In conditions reminiscent of the old winter rugby days, both teams preferred to keep things simple with the rain-soaked Odsal pitch cutting up from the first whistle.
Hull winger Kirk Dixon was guilty of spurning a clear try-scoring chance in the first minute, knocking on in the corner with the line at his mercy.
Bradford took the lead soon after through Paul Deacon's simple penalty, and their first try came after a Hull attack broke down.
Bai's challenge freed up the ball for team-mate Ben Harris, and the Bulls took advantage with Karl Pryce offloading for Langley to go over.
 Bradford's power began to tell in the second half |
Horne's jinking run took him over the Bulls line, but a superb tackle from Bulls full-back Michael Withers prevented him from touching the ball down.
But Horne responded soon after by again darting over the line with a subtle sidestep and this time he made no mistake in getting the ball down.
After the break, an inch-perfect cross-kick from the impressive Iestyn Harris supplied Bai with a try wide out on the right.
And soon after another clever Iestyn Harris kick helped Bradford effectively make the game safe.
Hull winger Gareth Raynor was outjumped by Lesley Vainikolo, and the knockback fell to Hape to dive over.
Deacon added a drop-goal, but Horne's second try cut the gap to 19-12 and raised hopes of a Hull comeback.
But Hull's chances were undermined by handling errors, and Iestyn Harris' long pass gave Gene the chance to scoot over and secure Bradford's passage into the fifth round.
Bradford coach Brian Noble: "It was a tough game and I'd like to complement both teams for making a spectacle out of very difficult conditions.
"We came up with the right plays at the right time and we improved a lot in the second half.
"We took our chances and I thought we stepped up a gear at the right time."
Hull coach John Kear: "It's very disappointing to go out, but performance-wise I thought we were pretty good.
"There was lots of endeavour and we played really well in the first half.
"But there were a couple of chances we didn't take and we were left to rue them. It's a hard-luck story, but it's results that count."
Bradford: Withers, Bai, B. Harris, Pryce, Vainikolo, I. Harris, Deacon, Fielden, Henderson, Lynch, McKenna, McKenna, Hape, Langley, Vagana, Watene, Cook.
Replacements: McKenna for Pryce (51), Watene for Fielden (33), Gene for Henderson (53), Cook for Lynch (22), Hape for McKenna (29), Henderson for McKenna (69), Vagana for Hape (25), Lynch for Vagana (60), Fielden for Watene (50), McKenna for Cook (76).
Hull: Briscoe, Dixon, Yeaman, Domic, Raynor, Whiting, R. Horne, Dowes, Dowes, Brough, King, Radford, Hill, Cooke, Chester, Thackray, Carvell, Tony.
Replacements: Tony for Whiting (76), Chester for Dowes (31), Carvell for Dowes (73), Tony for Brough (32), Carvell for King (22), Thackray for Radford (72), Thackray for Hill (31), Hill for Chester (57), Dowes for Thackray (54), King for Carvell (51), Brough for Tony (66).
Att: 7,705
Ref: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).
MMIX
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