Noble sings Bulls' praises

Frustrated at some of the visitors' negative tactics - "London are very good at slowing the game down," was all he would say on the matter - Noble preferred to stress the positives of his own side's display.

And none more so than the last-minute try by Lesley Vainikolo in a glorious move that covered 80 metres.

He said: "We scored some spectacular tries, and we threatened to score a try like that all game. I am very positive about our prospects."

And Noble reserved a special tribute to Iestyn Harris, who played the full 80 minutes in his third outing since his return to rugby league from Welsh rugby union.

Harris opened his scoring account for the Bulls with two goals from three attempts, as well as making an increasing impact later in the game in general play.

Noble said: "Iestyn has been thrown in at the deep end because of our injuries but he has done everything we wanted of him. He is defending well and beating people."

Noble admitted it was a calculated risk in only having one training session last week, but said that it had paid off, with last night's sprightly performance taking the Bulls back into the top four of Super League. There was a hint of unease in Tony Rea's after-match comments.

In what seemed veiled criticism of referee Steve Ganson, the Broncos coach said: "When Steele Retchless is frustrated and there is no frustration in his personality then you know the sort of day you have had. The noise from the crowd went against us."

l Karl Pryce will not be flying out from Manchester with England Academy Under-18s tonight on their tour Down Under.

Pryce, who is 18 tomorrow, has been recalled by the Bulls because of their injury crisis.

The younger brother of Leon said: "It is disappointing - it isn't often that you get the chance to go to New Zealand and Australia. But hopefully I might get the chance of a couple of games with the Bulls."

Bradford still have two players on the tour - Brett Ferres and dual code international Matthew Cook.