Warrington Wolves 14, Bradford Bulls 22; Match Report by Nigel Askham, at Wilderspool.

Jimmy Lowes turned back the clock to 1997 and took the Bull by the horns into second spot in Super League.

The combative hooker took the Man of Steel award in the club's charge to the title and the good news for their 1999 hopes is that he's beginning to look the part again after a frustrating spell riddled with injury.

I had him pipping Leon Pryce for the man of the match award against Wakefield last week but there was little doubt this week as Lowes completely outshone opposite number and Wolves dangerman Danny Farrar.

"He was outstanding, every time he had the ball he looked dangerous," said Bulls assistant coach Brian Noble who knows a little about the hooking role himself.

"He took the right decisions at the right time and he has got his head on. I believe he is the best hooker in this country and right up there with the best in the world."

And it was fitting that the number nine should have a hand in the match-winning try 11 minutes from time in a game the Bulls dominated throughout without ever being able to turn their undoubted superiority into points.

Substitute Paul Deacon set up the position by robbing the somewhat larger Steve McCurrie in his own 20 and a dart from acting half-back by Lowes followed by a determined charge from David Boyle did the rest.

Two Henry Paul goals eased them eight points clear but the scoreline would have been a more realistic reflection of the game if Deacon, who impressed during his late stint, had spotted support on either side after a great dart took him within inches of the line.

But it was still a significant afternoon for the Bulls as they erased the memory of their Knowsley Road nightmare and an error-ridden win over Trinity with a fully committed and professional effort.

That man Lowes had set the tone with a slide-rule kick for Stuart Spruce to celebrate his return with a diving finish and when Michael Withers added a second on 25 minutes after a beat build-up involving Henry Paul and Boyle the platform seemed set for more of the same.

But the Wolves who were been made to look more like Little Red Riding Hood at this stage pounced on their first real error to quite incredibly reach the interval on level terms.

Brian McDermott, who otherwise put in another valuable 80-minute stint, tried an unnecessary pass deep in his own territory and seconds later Lee Penny was finishing off an impressive handling move.

All looked well again though within four minutes of the re-start as Henry Paul, with assistance from the rampant Stuart Fielden and his own knee, regathered his own chip ahead to send in Scott Naylor.

But when Lee Briers' bomb pinballed off Naylor and Vaikona and fell invitingly for Mark Forster, the Wolves were level again going into the final quarter.

The Bulls most shaky spell followed as the driving rain played havoc with their handling but the fresh legs of Deacon and rapidly developing cult-hero Leon Pryce gave them an extra edge of see them home.

It still wasn't perfect by an means but with everyone pulling their weight there were some very encouraging signs. It's just a shame - with the Paul brothers bound for Sydney - that the same 17 players won't be on duty in Friday's derby with Halifax. They certainly deserved the chance.

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