Heroic defence wins it for Bulls

He got that wrong – Morrison, Platt, Sykes, Jeffries and Deacon are just mere mortals. They all combined to deny the blood-scenting hosts with some heroic defence though and deliver a richly-deserved first Super League win for the Bulls.

The main drama may have came in the last few frantic minutes as Bradford first tried their best to lose this match and then came up with a magic moment to sneak it with just SIX seconds remaining.

Dave Halley pulled out the trump card, latching on to the end of Ben Jeffries’ impromptu brilliance for a match-winning try, after Paul Sykes had earlier levelled with a coolly-slotted penalty.

It was cool because just minutes before the England centre had missed a far simpler conversion which left his side still chasing the game at 24-22.

After that, Sykes would have been forgiven if he never attempted a kick again in his career but he didn’t shrink. His attitude mirrored the entire team.

In truth, however, this absorbing fixture was really decided during a ten-minute spell when Catalans – like their opponents, in desperate need of victory – launched everything in Bradford’s direction. And came away with a big, fat nil points.

The locals in a hugely vociferous crowd at Stade Gilbert Brutus seemed ready to storm the television gantry after seeing their men denied time and time again.

In the space of those ten crazy second-half minutes, and with the scores locked at 18-18, Catalans had THREE ‘tries’ ruled out by the video referee.

Full back Michael Platt had already held up opposite number Clint Greenshields with one brilliant effort that did not need any confirmation from the skies.

But he was helpless as Greenshields sprinted over soon after when Greg Bird ominously stepped up a gear to create a chink in the Bulls’ line. However, the hosts were pulled back due to an obstruction and Bradford gained a penalty.

It did not offer them any relief as, moments later, Catalans centre Steven Bell ripped a hole and Thomas Bosc this time seemed certain to cross.

But skipper Paul Deacon bravely slowed his path and then Glenn Morrison somehow slid in under the stand-off to prevent him grounding, brilliantly ripping the ball clear in the same movement.

Catalans were denied again, the fans went ballistic and were left further peeved when Bosc missed the simple resulting penalty.

After Halley and Steve Menzies both coughed up possession though, Walters’ side would have another stab.

Greenshields’ long pass put Dimitri Pelo in clear sight of the line, only for Sykes and Jeffries to turn on the after-burners and scramble across to just nudge the winger into the corner flag before grounding.

Defence wins matches – and anyone who thought this Bulls side has no desire or character are sadly mistaken. It’s just a pity more fans weren’t there to see that enthusiasm and dedication.

Such characteristics had to be called upon again when Catalans did finally break their resistance.

Halley, who had come on at full back, had already seen one kick squirm clear after being hammered by thunderous French prop David Ferriol. It was amazing he had regathered his wits in time to finish that try in the final seconds.

But he did not get anywhere close to Bosc’s next bomb and, soon after, Jean-Philippe Baile was bundling over from dummy half, taking Halley with him.

Bosc converted and trailing 24-18, with just 13 minutes to go and Sykes having booted the restart straight out, it was hard to see where Bradford would find the energy to muster a comeback.

After Semi Tadulala had had one chance shortly after half-time, following a fine passing movement down the left, they had been under the cosh for the entire second period.

Catalans had packed their bench with four props expecting a battle and their heavy artillery just got heavier and heavier, while Bird became increasingly influential.

The Aussie Test ace, who signed a three-year deal with Bradford in January only to see it collapse due to visa problems, was making his first start in Catalans colours.

He had also been named skipper on the eve of the game, Catalans were seeking their first home win and the loose forward was living up to his billing, looking threatening every time he received possession.

The Bulls were already a side lacking belief and, staring a fourth straight defeat in the face, it was time to roll over.

But back they came. With almost their first attack since Tadulala’s effort, Terry Newton – nearing his influential best again – burrowed over from dummy half in the 74th minute, leaving Sykes with a straightforward kick to level.

As a left-footer, he never looked comfortable coming in from the left but it still stunned the Bulls faithful when his effort ricocheted off the upright.

That should have been it. But Catalans messed up once more by clearing downfield on the full and, when Pelo was penalised for holding Morrison down in the tackle, Sykes – kicking after Deacon went off on the hour mark with an ankle problem – held his nerve.

With only two minutes remaining, the World Cup man also chanced his arm with a long-range drop goal which drifted just wide.

Catalans were wise next time and closed down his effort at the death but that forced him to pass back to Jeffries, who was positioned as a second stab.

However, the Aussie did not go for goal. Instead he attacked the line and silkily broke through before calmly finding Halley tip-toeing over to send the Bulls players and fans alike delirious.

All the talk had been about Bird, who may well have replaced Jeffries at Odsal, but it was the former Wakefield man who came up with the killer punch as Bradford pipped the Dragons at the death here for the second year running and maintained their proud 100 per cent record in Perpignan.

They should have been a lot more comfortable, having confidently marched into an 18-6 lead.

After Bosc’s second-minute penalty, Jeffries’ perfectly-weighted chip landed in the arms of Menzies for a simple walk-in and then Tadulala hit a gap in midfield before producing a stunning side-step to leave Greenshields rooted.

Deacon improved both times and added a penalty before Thomas Duport replied but Bradford responded with the try of the game.

Menzies found Sykes, who bumped off his opponent deep inside his own half and raced clear. Deacon supported well before Rikki Sheriffe motored up and angled in for his third try in as many games.

But then Catalans blasted back with two tries in three minutes before the break.

Platt dropped a Bosc bomb to hand Bird an easy score – although Menzies could still have cleared – and then, after Catalans had fumbled in the restart set, Menzies spilled to let them off the hook.

The hosts quickly powered downfield and, despite cracking tackles from Newton and Andy Lynch, Olivier Elima eventually muscled over, Bosc improving twice to make it 18-18 at the break.