BULLS 13 WIDNES 14

TWO late drop goals condemned the Bulls to a dramatic one-point loss at Odsal – and spoiled Tom Holmes’ long-awaited return.

Holmes looked to be the story of the day when he crowned his first appearance since being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer by scoring the go-ahead try.

But Widnes, 13-6 down with just seven minutes to go, pulled themselves back with Tom Gilmore landing a crucial one-pointer to settle it and make it back-to-back losses for the stunned Bulls.

While the return of Holmes had been the stand-out team news, there was also a first start for Eliot Peposhi in a very different-looking home line-up.

On-loan Wigan winger Jacob Douglas came straight in and Jayden Myers and Ebon Scurr returned from injury.

Tyran Ott and Harvey Wilson came in among the raft of changes after the York defeat. Dan Okoro was also made available by parent club Warrington.

But the Bulls were missing John Davies, Dan Smith, Chester Butler and Zac Fulton.

Having played the bulk of his Bradford games at full back, Holmes reverted to stand-off to partner Jordan Lilley.

The Bulls had a score to settle after Widnes knocked them out of the Challenge Cup on their previous visit two months ago.

The Vikings had won four of their first five in the Championship as well, so Eamon O’Carroll’s men had their hands full against the club where he had played for five years.

Widnes forced an early handling error to apply immediate pressure. But Callum Field was held up just short before Jordan Johnstone’s forward pass ruled out Rhodri Lloyd’s dive into the corner.

Widnes were on top but Johnstone spilled another opportunity when he lost the ball from a scrum inside the Bulls 20.

The visitors lost Danny Langtree to a shoulder injury before the Bulls offered their first threat from Aidan McGowan’s mini-break.

But Widnes got the opening points on 16 minutes. Dan Murray was twice held up just short but Johnstone spread the ball wide left where winger Ryan Ince had the room to charge to the corner, Gilmore confidently adding the extras.

The Bulls looked lacklustre, particularly under the high ball, and got away with it when Gilmore shanked a penalty wide after a tackle off the ball when Lloyd had burst through some indifferent tackling.

Having been under the cosh in a subdued first quarter, the Bulls nearly made Widnes pay for their casual finishing. But Lilley’s dink through was ruled to have run dead as Myers pounced in goal.

Widnes were their own worst enemies coughing up penalties, allowing the Bulls better field position as the half went on.

A clever kick from Holmes and fierce chase in numbers forced the first goal-line drop-out – and four minutes before the hooter, the Bulls had their first points.

It was a well-worked move on the right as Lilley engineered space and linked with Myers to release Ben Blackmore to power over.

Widnes full back Jack Owens launched an ambitious drop goal from halfway which drifted wide. But the Bulls had hauled themselves right back into it after the slow start.

And they were in front three minutes into the second half.

Lilley created and made the second try – and Holmes provides the storybook finish as he darted over from his partner’s superbly-judged kick and chase.

It was a special moment for Holmes and he was getting more involved in the action after an understandably quiet first half on his return.

Widnes thought they had hit back as Matty Fozard stole in from dummy half but he was held up by determined scrambling defence.

Bulls were gifted a penalty on 58 minutes for Widnes making a tackle after the play was halted and Lilley took full advantage to slot over two more from 30 metres.

The Bulls still had to stand strong at the back and halted Max Roberts on an angled run right by the left post.

It was a much more controlled performance from the home side since the restart and Lilley made it a two-score game when he slotted over a drop goal 20 metres out.

Widnes fluffed an attempted short chip from the ensuing kick-off but Mitch Souter was held short as the Bulls tried to take advantage.

Widnes then slashed the lead to a single point with eight minutes left. Johnstone’s grubber sat up nicely for Joe Lyons to touch down and leave Gilmore a simple conversion.

It was nervy stuff as Widnes pummelled the Bulls line – and Gilmore found enough space to squeeze off a drop goal and level it up.

Eribe Doro made yardage to set up a shot for another one-pointer for the Bulls but Holmes dragged it well wide.

Gilmore, though, made no mistake when he had a second pop from 25 metres away, drifting the drop goal over the posts as he appeared to fall away.

BULLS: McGowan; Blackmore, Myers, Gill, Douglas; Holmes, Lilley; Doro, Ott, Rogers, Arundel, Wilson, Peposhi. Interchange: Appo, Scurr, Okoro, Souter.

WIDNES: Owens; Butt, Lloyd, Edge, Ince; Lyons, Gilmore; Kirk, Johnstone, Murray, Langtree, Wilde, Field. Interchange: Fozard, Brooks, Roberts, Bent.