BULLS were looking edgy late on at Sheffield yesterday with only an eight-point lead, before a couple of moments of magic from Jordan Lilley swung the game decisively in their favour.

First, he brilliantly read Cory Aston's clipped ball over the top to get his side back on the attack, then he produced a stunning netball-style pass barely a minute later to help get Jorge Taufua over in the corner.

That paved the way for a 30-12 win for the visitors, with Lilley's superb display putting his side on the brink of Betfred Championship play-off qualification.

Speaking to the T&A at full-time, head coach Eamon O'Carroll said: "I was shouting for him not to make that pass from the stands but it came off.

"That just shows that he's playing with confidence and I liked the bit we did before that, with us earning the right for some good field position.

"Then Jordy's looked up and played what he saw, and that's what we like about him.

"He'll take risks, but he'll take them at the right time, so I'm happy with that."

Lilley also kicked a penalty just after half-time to put Bulls 14-6 ahead, halting the momentum Sheffield had built up before the break.

Jayden Okunbor (left) scored an interception try to put Bulls in control early on, but Sheffield were well on top in the 10 minutes before half-time.Jayden Okunbor (left) scored an interception try to put Bulls in control early on yesterday, but Sheffield were well on top in the 10 minutes before half-time. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Discussing the benefits of going for the two, O'Carroll said: "I thought that was really good from Jordy to take that chance, but I wasn't too sure about the first one we kicked to go 2-0 up early on.

"We'd spoken all week about keeping hold of the ball and taking juice out of the opposition, but I back the players.

"They get a better sense of the game than me, being on the field, so if they make that decision to kick for goal, I'm okay with that."

Taufua was the beneficiary of that aforementioned Lilley pass, while he scored a second try to seal victory once and for all late on.

He also put in some hard but fair tackles during the game to slow down any Sheffield momentum, and responded well to those understandably criticising him after three potentially costly bans this season.

O'Carroll reflected: "I thought that was Jorge's best game for the club.

"I thought he made some really good decisions defensively and had lots of energy with the ball.

"We know Jorge can do that, and he produced a really well-rounded game today."