Bradford Bulls 28, London Broncos 2

TWO injury concerns but another two points in the quest to finish top at the end of the 23 weekly rounds.

In overcoming London Broncos in an error-strewn encounter yesterday, the Bulls claimed a ninth straight victory.

But there are major worries over the seriousness of the injury suffered by Harry Siejka, who limped off after just ten minutes with an ankle problem.

Adrian Purtell also took a knock and was replaced during the first half, leaving Jimmy Lowes with plenty to think about ahead of Sunday’s visit of Hull KR in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

Lee Gaskell was also left nursing his shoulder at the end of the game, which saw the Bulls score five tries and London none.

On a bitterly cold, rain-soaked afternoon at Odsal in front of a crowd of 4,023, there was not much to get excited about.

The awful weather made playing conditions difficult and led to plenty of dropped ball from both sides.

But despite the lack of fluency, there was an unmistakeable determination from Bradford to protect their line.

After Halifax had breached the Bulls’ defence in the first half on Good Friday and they conceded three tries against Dewsbury three days later, this was a far more solid display. And it had to be.

After early tries from the free-scoring Jay Pitts and Adam O’Brien had put Bradford in front midway through the first half, London fashioned an impressive response.

Buoyed by the youthful exuberance of Leeds loanee and boyhood Bulls fan Elliot Minchella and veteran prop Jamie Thackeray, the Broncos pushed hard for the try that would have got them back into the match.

Yet the Bulls refused to buckle as Wes Naiqama, Thackeray and Minchella were all held up over the line.

That collective desire will be crucial on Sunday against Hull KR, which will give us an indication as to how good this team actually is.

The Bulls were forced to regroup after losing Siejka to injury after just ten minutes.

The reshuffle saw Alex Mellor enter the fray and Danny Addy move from the back row into the halves.

It is to be hoped that Siejka’s injury, sustained in a tackle as he attempted to cross the line, is not long term but the early prognosis is not good.

Purtell was also replaced midway through the first half and did not return.

Addy, however, again proved he is a man who can fill in capably as a half-back with an impressive display.

London had arrived at Odsal on the back of a decent run of three straight victories.

Bulls v Broncos picture gallery

Coach Andrew Henderson said before yesterday’s match: “We’ve made big strides in recent weeks but we’ll know at the end of the game how far we’ve come.”

The Broncos are certainly making progress but, despite all their first-half pressure, they could not unlock the Bulls’ defence.

Chances were few during the opening exchanges but Gaskell once again illustrated his ability to outpace and outwit rival defences when he broke London’s line.

Collecting a short pass from Siejka, Gaskell escaped the clutches of the Broncos’ rearguard but his pass failed to find a team-mate and the opportunity was spurned.

The Bulls then lost Siejka when he was injured in the act of attempting to muscle his way over the line from close range.

Five minutes later, though, and the Bulls led when, after Tom Olbison and Mellor had been stopped from close range, Gaskell’s quick hands saw him find Pitts and the prolific second-rower touched down with ease.

The try followed a penalty awarded against Tom Gilmore by referee Joe Cobb, the official at the centre of the Bulls’ stormy opening-day defeat at Leigh.

Cobb gave a number of penalties against both sides during the first half as well as giving Mellor a stern lecture but the momentum remained largely with the Bulls in the opening quarter.

They almost claimed a second try when Ryan Shaw should have passed to a team-mate in support on the right wing but he chose to go himself and was tackled, ending a promising handling sequence.

Nevertheless, a second try arrived in the 19th minute when, after the Bulls had forced a drop-out, O’Brien was too quick for the London defence and he darted over from acting half.

Shaw’s second conversion put the Bulls 12-0 up but they were not in total control.

London came back strongly, with on-loan Widnes youngster Gilmore providing plenty of probing kicks at half-back and Thackeray, off the bench, punching some holes up front.

After Purtell was replaced by Dale Ferguson, Fijian centre Wes Naiqama was held up in the corner by Etu Uaisele and Mellor.

Naiqama then went close again before London forced a drop-out to enjoy successive sets.

Thackeray was then held up, as was Minchella, the former West Bowling amateur being denied by a fine piece of defending from Mellor in the right corner.

The Bulls conceded another penalty on the stroke of half-time following a tackle on Brad Dwyer and they opted to go for goal, Naiqama’s boot getting the visitors off the mark.

At only 12-2 down at the break, the game was far from over.

The first try of the second half was always going to be important and it went to the Bulls.

After Pitts had seen a try ruled out for offside as he grounded a clever kick from Gaskell, the Bulls were celebrating for real soon after.

Gaskell spotted a gap in the London defence inside the right channel and his pace and power took him clear as, even though he was tackled just short of the line, his momentum took him over and saw him ground the ball.

Chances remained scarce for both sides as the half progressed but Ulugia finished well in the right corner after showing notable strength to hold off Matt Garside.

Uaisele then collected a short pass from Gaskell to touch down late on.