 Bradford struggled to find a way through the outstanding Wakefield defence |
Bradford 12 (6)
Tries: Withers 2
Goals: Deacon 2
Wakefield 20 (18)
Tries: Tadulala, Halpenny, Catic
Goals: Rooney 4
Wakefield kept their hopes of avoiding relegation from Super League alive with a hugely committed win at Bradford.
Michael Withers put the Bulls ahead but tries from Semi Tadulala, Colum Halpenny and Ned Catic and eight points from Jamie Rooney put Trinity 20-6 up.
Bradford, who twice went down to 12 men because of sin-binnings, cut the gap through a second converted Withers try.
But brave Wakefield defence saw the visitors hold out and move within a point of safety.
The champions took an early 6-0 lead as Paul Deacon converted Withers' try but a combination of Wakefield guts and Bradford ill-discipline saw the Wildcats come storming back.
Tadulala got the visitors on the board and two Rooney goals edged Wakefield into an 8-6 lead.
During a hectic spell Bradford also lost Iestyn Harris to the sin-bin and Wakefield took full advantage with tries from Halpenny and Catic, who benefited when David Solomona scooted down the blind-side on the sixth tackle.
Rooney converted on the stroke of half-time to make it 18-6 to Trinity and he added another goal soon after the break.
Bradford cut the gap to eight points when Withers grabbed his second try after Wakefield failed to deal with a hanging kick, with Deacon adding the extras.
But that was as good as it got for Bradford as Wakefield put their bodies on the line time and again to stay alive for another week.
With Salford beating Castleford 26-16 that means next week's clash between the Wildcats and Cas will probably decide who drops out of Super League.
Bradford coach Steve McNamara:
"All credit to Wakefield, who were very enthusiastic and played really well.
"The sin-binnings illustrated the way we played. It was probably the least smart game we have played.
"We were very dumb in a lot of the things we did. A lot of frustration built up and it showed."
Wakefield coach John Kear:
"There's a feeling of satisfaction, which comes from the response of a group of players who are working really hard.
"And through that hard work, they've given themselves an opportunity and they're taking the opportunity.
"It was a heroic effort but we need to keep our feet on the ground."
Bradford: Withers, Vainikolo, Hape, Pryce, Bai, I Harris, Deacon, Vagana, Newton, Lynch, McKenna, Meyers, Ferres.
Replacements: Cook, Burgess, Henderson, B Harris.
Wakefield: Halpenny, Demetriou, Evans, Atkins, Tadulala, Rooney, Jeffries, Korkidas, Obst, Watene, MacGillivray, Solomona, Betham.
Replacements: Catic, Latu, Henderson, March.
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