MARK Dunning praised Bradford Bulls’ commitment and mentality after they overcame Halifax in an intense West Yorkshire derby on Easter Monday.

The Odsal side eventually sealed a 26-22 victory at the Shay Stadium, but it wasn't easy as the hosts fought right until the very death in the stormy conditions. 

Bradford looked to be in firm control heading into the final stages of the contest but a loose pass from Keven Appo sent Jake Maizen racing clear to set up a nail biting finale. 

However, the visitors held onto a priceless victory to the delight of Dunning.

He said: “It was a good game that I'm sure the neutrals thoroughly enjoyed because it was a really intense encounter between two committed sides. So, I'm delighted to come away with the share of the spoils.

“I was really pleased with the commitment because we've spoken frequently about needing everyone to do their bit in a team effort, and I thought each player did that in abundance. Everyone was a nine or ten tonight and contributed massively to this result.”

It was an all-round positive display from Bradford but there were a number of standout performances for Dunning’s side. Bulls’ boss said: “All of the players just mentioned (Jordan Baldwinson, James Donaldson and Sam Walters) were brilliant. I thought Billy Jowitt was great in coming on and playing three different positions in a 60-minute spell. Jordan Lilley was assuring when he moved back to the nine because he helped to calm us down and settle us.

“I'm particularly pleased for Luis Roberts tonight because he got some heavy stick after the Keighley defeat. A lot of fingers were pointed at him and it was probably the worst game he's ever had, but it doesn't make him a bad player overnight, so I'm really pleased for him.”

Gritty wins and even high quality victories against strong opposition are becoming the norm again at Bradford Bulls this season, perhaps illustrating the change in mentality within this group of players compared to previous years.

Dunning, who has overseen impressive wins against Widnes, Toulouse, Sheffield Eagles and now Halifax, admitted that the mental switch comes from preparation. 

He said: “The mentality that I'm interested in ends here but starts at Tong. So, when we are in work everyday and in-and-around Tong, this is the part I'm looking at because a matchday is the end product whereas being at the training ground is the start of the process. 

Dunning added: “I've been really, really happy with the lads and how they've bought into anything we've tried to do this year. I've just said to the boys in the changing room that the really pleasing thing is that we can be so much better as well. 

“I'm not going to start taking a look at the table just yet and I won't be doing until we've played everybody once. I've spoken to the boys about focusing on performance rather than outcome and if we do that then we'll be absolutely fine.”

Discussing injuries, Dunning confirmed: “I think Billy (Jowitt) will be okay but I think you saw at the end that Ben Blackmore got a bit of a dead leg. As soon as he got that, we took him off and as soon as we took him off, Joe Arundel cramped up in his hamstring, so we ended up playing the last five minutes with 12 men because we had used all of our substitutions.

“I think that David Foggin-Johnston will be the only doubt for the Batley game.”