SOME spectators had had enough by half-time, at which point Bradford Bulls were trailing 34-6 at Odsal yesterday.

“You were rubbish,” cried one passionate fan from the main stand, while the booes from the far side were audible across the ground as the players trudged off at the interval.

“They were a disgrace,” said another, who stuck it out until the end, while an Indian gentleman, complete with turban and full beard, decided that actions spoke louder than words, simply putting his hand beneath his chin and drawing it from left to right in a cutting motion.

Injuries are hitting the Bulls hard and yes, they had to field hooker Vila Halafihi in the centres and lost stand-off Leon Pryce to a knee injury before half-time – but there needs to be more intent from the players if the Bulls are to save themselves from relegation.

You have to worry for them against league leaders Hull KR in next Saturday’s televised clash in the Summer Bash at Blackpool – but then come three crucial matches in the Bulls’ next four at Dewsbury Rams and Rochdale Hornets and at home to Oldham.

Assuming that they are defeated next weekend, those three matches could prove a meaningful start to the ten wins in 15 matches that they look likely to need to stave off the drop to the third tier, with RFL chief executive Nigel Wood having confirmed over the weekend that the bottom two in the Kingstone Press Championship will be demoted.

Ironically, things started off well for the Bulls against the fourth-placed Broncos, after a fumble by both sides.

A flat pass by 20-year-old scrum half Jordan Lilley put 18-year-old debutant Cameron Smith over in just the second minute following a neat move, with full back Oscar Thomas landing the extras.

However, the response by the visitors was equally swift, with prop Mark Ioane and winger Kieran Dixon combining well down the right before fate befell the hosts.

The passes became tighter as the Bulls moved the ball towards the main stand and it fell to earth, with Dixon picking up and outpacing Illies Macani – one of three former Broncos in the home line-up – to score from distance.

Dixon levelled with the kick and, after centre Michael Channing and former Bull Jarrod Sammut almost went over, a great grubber by scrum half William Barthau was grounded just before the dead-ball line by another ex-Bull in Jay Pitts.

Dixon’s goal made it 12-6 and London’s third try came after referee Jon Roberts had harshly pulled up Macani for crossing, winger Rhys Williams going over on the left.

With second row Colton Roche running strongly and hooker Sam Hallas being held up over the line, the Bulls tried to up the tempo. But there was no more joy before half-time as tries followed for interchange Junior Roqica, Sammut and Dixon, who improved all three.

Trailing by 28 points, the Bulls needed a quick response at the start of the second half and back-to-back penalties gave them the opportunity.

However, there was only more frustration as Lilley slammed the ball into the turf when interchange James Davies got in his way and they were again pulled up for crossing. Roqica then scored his second try after hooker James Cunningham was held up over the line.

Referee Roberts then drew the ire of more Bulls fans by disallowing a try by Ethan Ryan, ruling that the centre had knocked on in the act of scoring.

Roberts then had to tick off Dixon and Sam Hallas, who had been pushing and pulling each other in the backfield in the build-up to Ryan’s non try.

A Joe Keyes try was chalked off for offside after a clever Lilley reverse pass and what heart was left seemed to go out of the Bulls performance.

Dixon completed his hat-trick for a competent Broncos side and although winger Jonny Campbell scored another neat try for the Bulls after great work by Ryan, it was largely one-way traffic.

Sammut capitalised on a Bulls error on their first tackle to complete his brace and, despite the visitors being down to 12 men after second row Daniel Harrison was sin-binned for dumping Ross Peltier, Matt Garside finished off the scoring with a try that Ryan bitterly contested, hurling the flag protector infield in his anger.

Bulls: Thomas 5; Macani 5, Ryan 6, Halafihi 5, Campbell 6; Pryce 5, Lilley 7; Magrin 8, Hallas 6, Kirk 6, Roche 6, Smith 6, Chapelhow 5. Interchange: Davies 6, Oledzi 6, Peltier 7, Keyes 6.