Crusaders (6) 26
Tries: Witt, Thomas, Sammut, Schifcofske, Martin Goals: Schifcofske 3
Bradford (18) 30
Tries: Lynch, Royston, Ainscough, Diskin, L'Estrange Goals: Ah Van 5

Patrick Ah Van produced a faultless kicking display for the Bulls

Bradford Bulls secured their first points of the Super League season with a 30-26 win over Crusaders.

Tries by Bulls' Andy Lynch and Crusaders' Michael Witt cancelled each other out before Shad Royston and Shaun Ainscough stretched Bradford's lead.

Matt Diskin went over straight after the break and Heath L'Estrange's score put the result beyond doubt.

But tries by Gareth Thomas, Jarrod Sammut, Clint Schifcofske and Tony Martin brought Crusaders close.

Ainscough, the former Wigan winger making his Bulls debut, made the initial 30m break that lead to Lynch's opening score.

Bulls coach Mick Potter had more to cheer about with the performance of 19-year-old half-back Danny Addy who worked well with Brett Kearney all evening, although injuries to L'Estrange (ankle) and Chev Walker (pectoral) will be a concern for the former St Helens boss.

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris will no doubt hope stand-off Witt will continue his run of form that saw him claim his fourth try of the season when he dummied L'Estrange to pull the Welsh outfit level midway through the first half.

They missed a great chance to take an early lead though when Adam Peel dropped a try-scoring pass from Jason Chan who had gathered his own kick ahead.

Thomas twice came close after targeting Ainsworth but Bradford's defence held firm.

The visitors then struck back with quick tries by Royston and Ainscough, the latter of which ended with a seven-pass move on a last tackle.

Patrick Ah Van converted all three of the first-half scores for an 18-6 lead and the Bulls picked up where they left off after the break as Diskin crossed from dummy half with 90 seconds gone and Ah Van again added the extras.

Thomas, in his new position at centre, went over in response for Crusaders before Chan was held up over the line as the home side fought back.

A handling error by Thomas lead to L'Estrange's try and with Ah Van maintaining his 100% record with the boot the game looked dead and buried at 30-10.

But Crusaders' determination, and some sloppy defending by Bradford, saw the hosts rack up three tries in the closing seven minutes to give the scoreline a sheen of respectability.

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris:
"Our skill levels were well below par. With some of individual errors, unforced errors we have come up with for the last two weeks, you will find it difficult to compete against the better sides.

"We've got to put it right pretty quickly. There is real scratchy form from six or seven individuals and we're going to work on that in the early part of next week.

"The spirit and desire is still there, it's just misdirected at times but there is a willingness of the group to succeed and that is a big plus point for me. We've just got to channel it in the right direction."

Bradford coach Mick Potter:
"It probably wasn't the best second half we're going to play this year but we got the two points and that's the main thing.

"It's what we needed at this stage, to get off that mark. Tonight we did whatever it took to get the result.

"I think a few teams will come here expecting to win and walk away with nothing. Crusaders are a good team and, if anyone comes with complacency, they will get beat.

"We did some simple things wrong - you are always after perfection - but we did some silly things on play one and we can't do that too often."

Crusaders: Schifcofske, Reardon, Martin, Thomas, R. Williams, Witt, Sammut, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, Lupton, Chan, Flower.

Replacements: Peek for O'Hara (20), Dudson for Bryant (33), James for Lupton (48), Moore for Flower (30).

Bradford: Royston, Ainscough, Platt, Ah Van, Raynor, Kearney, Addy, Hargreaves, L'Estrange, Lynch, Walker, Whitehead, Elima.

Replacements: Kopczak for Hargreaves (18), Olbison for Walker (9), Diskin for Whitehead (34),Scruton for Elima (19).

Att: 2,615

Ref: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury).

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