Bradford Bulls do their bit as Sheffield take play-off hit

But at just half a point away from a coveted top-12 spot when the provisional rankings were released last October, and having made stadium improvements since, do not rule a promotion out just yet.

And while it seems to have been forgotten to an extent, 25 per cent of a club’s IMG final grade is based on performance.

Bulls now look to be on the brink of the Championship play-offs, and if they could manage to spring a couple of surprises and win the Grand Final, like London Broncos last season, you would think that would at least give them a shot at going up.

And with the regular season coming to a close, we thought we’d do a post-weekend ‘state of play’ round up.

BULLS 54 DEWSBURY 0

Bradford struggled to break the Rams down initially on Friday night at Odsal, with the visitors well in the game with half-an-hour to go.

But then Bulls ran riot, scoring seven more tries to rack up a thumping win.

That took them up to second behind runaway leaders Wakefield, for 24 hours at least…

Tyran Ott skids over to score Bulls' fourth try in their big win over Dewsbury on Friday night. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

TOULOUSE 32 SHEFFIELD 12

Second place of course gets you a bye through the eliminator play-offs and guarantees you a home semi-final.

With Trinity home and dry as league leaders, runners-up is the one they all want, and perennial high-flyers Toulouse just about have the edge.

They have wobbled in recent weeks, and only led fourth-placed Sheffield by two points at the break in France on Saturday evening.

But with Paul Ulberg scoring a hat-trick, they eventually ran out comfortable 32-12 winners, putting them back into second, a point ahead of Bradford.

Sheffield are now sweating, dropping back into sixth, with York waiting to pounce if the Eagles slip up again.

BATLEY 8 WIDNES 12

Bradford will probably want to avoid Widnes at all costs in the play-offs, assuming both make it, having lost to the Vikings in all three of the pair’s games this season.

Allan Coleman’s side sit fourth as it stands, just a point behind Bulls, having gritted their teeth and held out at Mount Pleasant yesterday against Batley.

The sides only scored three tries between them, largely thanks to some heroic Widnes defending late on, as they ensured they overtook Sheffield and stayed ahead of Featherstone.

The defeat realistically ends any hopes of the always-dangerous Batley making the play-offs, as they sit six points behind Sheffield with only four league games left.

FEATHERSTONE 36 BARROW 18

Rovers have consistently been the best side outside of Super League for the past half-a-decade, but after an alarming wobble earlier in the year, they looked as if they would miss out on the play-offs altogether.

But you write them off at your peril, and James Ford’s men have now won five games in a row, including fine away victories at Widnes and Bulls, backed up by a defeat of visiting Toulouse, to sit fifth, just three points off second.

Barrow put up a good fight at Post Office Road yesterday, but were always chasing the game, and with Connor Jones at the double, and Ben Reynolds perfect from the kicking tee yet again, Fev are as good a bet as anybody to upset the Wakefield apple cart in the play-offs.

WHITEHAVEN 0 YORK 40

The Knights are primed and ready to pounce on any stumble from any of Toulouse, Bulls, Featherstone, Widnes and Sheffield.

Haven have had their well-documented financial issues, but it was only last week they pulled off a brilliant home win against Dewsbury with 14 men in the squad, and they were far better stocked at the weekend.

But York blew them away, 20 points in the first half and 20 in the second leading to a comfortable win.

The Knights have won four in a row, including a stunning success in Toulouse, and also have a better points difference than both Featherstone and Sheffield.

If they win their next game, then Rovers and the Eagles lose theirs, York will suddenly find themselves in fifth.

PLAY-OFF RACE TABLE (with points difference included)

2. Toulouse 29 (+ 312)

3. Bulls 28 (+ 229)

4. Widnes 27 (+ 102)

5. Featherstone 26 (+ 128)

6. Sheffield 26 (+ 126)

7. York 24 (+ 180)