Michael Withers today delivered a chilling threat to St Helens after Bradford Bulls were again beaten by their bitter rivals.

Saints followed up their Twickenham success with a 38-26 victory at Knowsley Road in an epic Super League encounter - to shoot down the Bulls' seven-match winning streak.

But full back Withers emerged from Saturday's disappointment with a dressing-room message of defiance for those who believe they are jinxed by the treble holders.

Withers said: "It will be written up everywhere that St Helens have beaten us yet again and all that.

"But when we do put it together then we'll give them a good hiding. And it's not that far round the corner."

The damage was done just before half-time when the Saints ran in three quick-fire tries to storm ahead 28-10.

Bulls hit back with a triple blast of their own to move within two but a comeback win proved beyond them.

Coach Brian Noble, who reported that all his Origin Game players were fit, said: "The boys were beating themselves up in the dressing room because we know we squandered the chance to take two points.

"At 10-10, we were pretty confident but there were a couple of dumb errors on our part and St Helens took their opportunities from those.

"There was a fair wind out there and we were capable of doing to them in the second half what they had done to us. That's how it panned out and we got it right back but unfortunately we then got frantic when maybe a bit of composure was needed.

"We had them on the ropes but it was just a matter of time before they found a way to get back."

Withers added: "We killed ourself with the three tries just before half-time. At 10-10 we were coasting but then we lapsed in concentration.

"Our heads dropped a little bit through frustration and although we did a lot of hard graft in the second half, we just let it slip.

"But we're sick because we had the chance to pull away from St Helens and Wigan and set up a two-horse race between us and Hull. This result has let them back in.

"It's frustrating because like the cup final, we feel we lost it ourselves. But it's just one game and when it comes to the play-offs we'll be ready for them."