BRADFORD BULLS gave a great account of themselves once again despite falling to a 26-12 defeat at Featherstone Rovers on Monday evening.

After such a strong display in last week’s victory against Toulouse, Mark Dunning went with an almost identical line-up at the Millennium Stadium on Monday evening with Bodene Thompson replacing Brad England in the only change for the visitors.

It was a chance for Bradford to make another huge statement against a promotion favourite and following their impressive victories over Widnes Vikings and Toulouse, the Bulls had every reason to be confident heading into this one.

Unfortunately for the away side, they were facing a team in red hot form and a creative genius in Riley Dean.

Nine minutes into the contest, on the back of a set restart, Featherstone worked the ball to the right hand side of the field where Dean was gratefully waiting to receive a pass from Jonathon Ford. The home side’s number seven collected with ease before throwing a sharp dummy to go over for a converted try.

But back came Bradford – once again showing the resilient nature of this year’s squad – running in two unconverted tries in quick succession.

First it was Tom Holmes, who pounced on a delightful Kieran Gill grubber kick on the sixth to send the visiting fans barmy. Patton’s conversion attempt fell short in the wind.

On minute 22, only four minutes after they’d scored their first, Bradford went over again through Gill after Dec Patton played a lovely, lofted kick over the top of the Featherstone backline for the onrushing number four. This time Patton’s conversion attempt struck the left-hand post.

Back came the home side through Luke Briscoe, however, after Dean had found him racing clear down the right flank. Fev’s conversion attempt drifted wide, but they lead 10-8.

Bradford substitute George Roby was then sent to the sinbin for a late tackle, and the hosts capitalised on their man advantage superbly. Ford, in acres of space, picked out Gareth Gale with a defence splitting pass and he had the simple job of adding the home side’s third try. Dean couldn’t convert but the side from the Millennium Stadium went into the interval with a 14-8 lead.

The second half started and it would be Featherstone who looked to exert some added pressure, as they looked to pull away from Dunning’s men.

Their next try would come on minute 49 through John Davies after a brilliant burst by Joey Leilua. Featherstone’s centre intercepted a wayward Bradford pass before taking the home side 50 metres up the field, but his gas tank ran out just as three Bradford players circled. Two phases later, Davies collected a short pass and powered over. On this occasion Dean added the extras to put the hosts 20-8 ahead.

However, the unpredictable nature of the contest continued.

Sensing an opportunity to kill the game off, Fev relentlessly attacked the away side’s backline but once again, Bradford held firm.

They were rewarded for their resilient defensive work when Joe Arundel, in a similar vein to his try against Toulouse, burst clear down the right and left everyone in his wake to add Bradford’s third try. On a rare off day with the boot, Patton missed his third conversion of the evening and Dunning’s men remained 20-12 down.

The Bulls huffed and puffed in hope of turning the game around and Jordan Lilley so nearly broke through Featherstone’s backline, however, an ankle tap prevented him from doing so.

Up the other end the Betfred Championship league leaders would add another try of their own as powerhouse Johnathon Ford bullied his way over for a converted try, and that was that. The hosts hung on to a 26-12 victory.

It was a real battle throughout, but it’s back to the drawing board for Bradford who face York Acorn in the Challenge Cup on Sunday at Odsal.