Bulls 38, Widnes 26


Michael Platt and Shaun Ainscough both scored twice as the Bulls kept their play-off hopes alive with a hard-fought victory over Widnes Vikings this afternoon.
 

The Bulls were left stunned after early tries from ex-Bradford winger Patrick Ah Van and prop Ben Davies, both converted by influential Rhys Hanbury, put Widnes 12-0 up.
 

Platt soon replied for the Bulls but a fine individual effort from Danny Craven stretched the Vikings’ lead to 16-6.
 

The response from the Bulls was emphatic, however, as three tries in 10 minutes from Brett Kearney, Ainscough and Ben Jeffries put the Bulls 22-16 ahead.
 

Right on the stroke of half-time, Widnes replied through Hanbury for an unconverted try which left the score 22-20 in Bradford’s favour at the break.
 

Shortly before the hour mark, the Bulls claimed a crucial score when Heath L’Estrange went over and Platt grabbed his second before Ah Van did likewise to give Widnes a lifeline.
 

Yet Ainscough’s second confirmed the Bulls’ victory, just as the heavens opened during a dramatic finale.