Elima touches down against the Rhinos
After a month away to concentrate on the heroic exploits of the Wibsey Warriors, the Bull Pen returns, and it seems that Bradford took a leaf out of Wibsey's book by returning to winning ways last month.
After a miserable run of seven league games without a win, expectations were far from high heading into the home game against fellow strugglers Salford at Odsal on May 29th, but the Bulls exhibited some of tenacity they had shown in the narrow defeat against Wigan the week before and managed to overturn the opposition.Kyle Briggs continued his impressive run in the first team with a brace of tries, while Sykes, L'Estrange and the returning Ben Jeffries all touched down en route to a 28-14 victory.
It seemed that the win signalled the old case of two buses coming along at once for Bradford, as a visit to the Twickenham Stoop on June 4th brought another vital two points to contribute towards the Bulls' play-off hopes.
Harlequins' Karl Pryce has managed the unique distinction of scoring five tries against Bradford this season without tasting victory, as his double in this game was neutralised by scores from Lynch, Royston and Whitehead. Ah Van also went over twice and kicked five goals, with his 18-point personal tally contributing to a 30-16 away win.
The first real test of Bradford's resurgence came on June 12th, when St Helens visited the Grattan Stadium. The confidence was there to see from the start as the Bulls defence looked tighter than at any point this season and it seemed that the three goals from Patrick Ah Van and tries from Lynch and Kearney would be enough to seal a famous win. However, Bradford hearts were broken at the death as a harsh obstruction decision against Lynch gave Foster a shot at goal for St Helens and the ball sailed over, rescuing a point for the visitors.
The defeat seemed to knock the Bulls off course somewhat, as a lacklustre performance against Hull at Odsal on June 19th saw the visitors run out 28-14 victors and left coach Mick Potter wondering why his team could not show any consistency.
However, what Potter saw on June 24th will have put a huge smile on his face - as well as those of the travelling Bulls fans - when Bradford took a trip to Headingley.In recent years the Bulls had taken a back seat to their local rivals, but it was not to be on this night, with the visitors coping with horrendous conditions better than the hosts to seal a memorable 18-12 win.
A fine performance by Olivier Elima saw the loose forward cross over for two tries, while Ah Van's five goals highlighted how there is a place in the modern game for two-point scores in favour of driving the ball forward. A first win at Headingley in four years was celebrated wildly by the Bradford fans and may be just what the Bulls need to maintain their hopes of making the Super League XVI play-offs.