Barrow Raiders beat Bradford Bulls and Jarrod Sammut

Despite being 24-8 ahead with 24 minutes remaining on the clock, the Bulls were on the wrong end of a spirited comeback from the hosts.

Bradford announced the surprise return of Sammut at the end of July and the mercurial half-back was thrust straight into action this afternoon.

He was named in the starting lineup against his old side.

Jarrod Sammut on his return to the Bradford Bulls starting lineup (Image: Tom Pearson)

Likewise, new loan signing Jack Smith was also given a starting berth following his move from Leeds Rhinos on deadline day.

It appeared as if Bulls’ thrashing at the Raiders last season, a game that signalled the end of Mark Dunning’s reign as head-coach, had been long forgotten as they came out of the blocks flying.

Who would have guessed what was to come?

It didn’t take long for the visitors to make their mark on proceedings, as Tom Holmes turned from instigator to scorer in the space of a minute.

After collecting Barrow’s kick on the sixth, Holmes burst through the home side’s defence and raced 70 metres downfield before being hurled to the ground.

From the resulting play Sammut’s diverted grubber earned the Bulls a fresh set of six, and Holmes touched down in the left corner following a quick play the ball to give Bulls a 4-0 lead.

Lilley couldn’t add the conversion.

Things got better for Bradford on the 16th minute when Jayden Okunbor, fresh from being granted a Visa on deadline day, acrobatically touched down in the corner.

Eamon O’Carroll’s side shifted the ball to the right at speed and the ‘OKK’ made no mistake in finishing a well crafted move.

Lilley’s conversion attempt narrowly missed.

Bulls added a third try shortly after, Sam Hallas making a break before a quick ruck saw the visitors attacking the right edge.

Lilley then played Zac Fulton through a gap for a walkover try.

Bradford’s try provider was spot on with his kick on this occasion to give Bulls a 14-0 lead.

Zac Fulton touches the ball down to give Bradford an initial three-try advantage. (Image: Tom Pearson)

Not for the first time this season, O’Carroll’s side didn’t go for the jugular and allowed their opponents back into the contest. 

Two quick tries from Ryan Shaw and Luke Broadbent brought Barrow back to within a converted try away from levelling the scores.

Fortunately for the Bulls, Max Lehmann broke magnificently and after playing a quick ruck, the ball was moved swiftly to Keven Appo to stride over with two minutes of the half remaining.

Lilley couldn’t convert the try but Bulls added what seemed like four priceless points before the break to lead 18-8.

After the interval the contest hit a slight lull as both sides looked to nullify each other’s attacking threats.

However, Bradford found a way to make the most of what could only be described as a half chance.

On the sixth, Lilley played a flighted kick across field and Kieran Gill plucked the ball out of the air before wrestling his way over the whitewash with three Barrow defenders on his back.

Lilley added the extras to give the Bulls a 24-8 lead.

However, the game was far from over as the hosts bounced back once again to set up a grandstand finish.

Firstly, Andrew Bulman touched down after collecting a fine grubber kick from Broadbent.

Then moments later, Sammut spilled a similar kind of kick into the path of Josh Wood who had the easiest of scores.

The conversion was added to make it 24-18 in Bulls’ favour.

Barrow continued to push for a leveller, and with the support of the home crowd, they got over the line with two minutes remaining.

The hosts forced a goal line dropout and from the resulting attack, the home side’s relentless pressure was finally rewarded.

The ball was moved swiftly left to Max Clarke to score for the Raiders. And the conversion was perfect to send the home crowd into raptures.

Had time gone on any longer then Bulls could have well been staring down the barrel of defeat.

Thankfully, the full-time hooter sounded and O’Carroll’s men settled for a 24-24 draw.