Smith enjoys winning start but will need time to make a difference for Bradford Bulls

ROHAN Smith has a three-year contract and will be backed to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks, but on this evidence he needs something equally precious.

Time.

This was a welcome victory for the new Bulls head coach in his first game in charge but also an uncomfortable view of life in the Championship.

A very uncomfortable view at times.

Smith's long-term deal suggests he will be given the time to try and return Bradford to the top table in the next few seasons.

Yet there will be no quick fix for a Bulls side who have struggled all year for consistency and who appeared in real danger of succumbing to defeat for much of last night's game.

Bradford did not lead until the 64th minute as a tenacious Sheffield side pushed Smith's men hard with a spirited display.

The first-half loss of Lee Gaskell to injury was a blow to the visitors, who trailed 10-6 at the break and then 14-6 when Rob Worrincy grabbed his second try nine minutes into the second half.

Yet the Bulls, so insipid in attack at times during the opening 40 minutes, gradually took control of proceedings.

Adam Sidlow went over with 16 minutes remaining before Kris Welham's score killed Sheffield off soon after to get Smith's reign up and running.

Do not underestimate how important Danny Williams' outstanding try-saving tackle proved to be either.

In the end, the Bulls got the job done and Smith could certainly take heart from the collective spirit of his side in finishing the game so strongly to ultimately run out worthy victors.

Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park is a far cry from St James' Park, where Smith will head today for this year's Magic Weekend in Newcastle in search of potential signings.

The play-making abilities of Smith's new side – or rather the lack of them – was clear to see, especially after Gaskell departed and the stand-off must be a major doubt for next week's Summer Bash showdown with Leigh.

Sheffield, who had reduced Bradford to rubble in a 46-28 win at Odsal last month, have generally struggled for consistency this season.

But they were up for this one and former Bulls hooker Keal Carlile knitted them together effectively along with Cory Aston and former Bulls trialist Rhys Jacks in the halves.

There is pace and strength out wide in this Sheffield team in the likes of Quentin Laulu-Togagae, Menzie Yere and Garry Lo, plus some serious muscle up front in the likes of Mark Mexico.

Sheffield led from a penalty early on when, after Jacks was caught late, a kick from the Canada international ricocheted into the arms of Laulu-Togagae, who sent the unmarked Worrincy over in the right corner with the Bulls' defence exposed.

Aston's conversion attempt on a breezy night struck an upright.

Bradford were on the right side of the penalty count but, so often during the opening 40 minutes, they struggled to make their field position pay.

The hosts grabbed their second try in the 24th minute when Yere chipped the ball forward down the left flank and Lo picked up possession and sent Aston scampering clear from 20 metres out.

Yet again Bradford's defence had been ruthlessly exposed and Aston's conversion made it 10-0.

With Gaskell off with a hamstring problem, Oscar Thomas and Danny Addy formed the latest half-back partnership for the Bulls.

Thomas showed touches of skill but there was a touch of good fortune when his short grubber kick rebounded back into his path and he touched down inside the right channel.

That 29th-minute try followed a spell of incessant Bradford pressure and on the back of another penalty.

Yet Sheffield remained dangerous in attack and Jacks almost burrowed over the line before Mexico knocked out ten metres from the Bulls' line.

Danny Williams then broke from a 20-metre restart as half-time approached, making over 40 metres but failing to find the unmarked Omari Caro in support to his left.

Shortly after the restart, the impressive Steve Crossley was held up before Lo broke clear, only for Williams to make a brilliant saving tackle when the cause appeared lost.

Moments later, however, and Sheffield claimed their third try when the ball was worked out to the right flank where Worrincy was on hand to bag his second in the corner.

At 14-6 down, disaster loomed for Smith and his team.

Yet Bradford, to their credit, fashioned an impressive response and were largely dominant in the second period.

In the 56th minute Williams, was on hand to collect a rapier-like offload from Addy to touch down in the right corner.

It was a brilliant pass from Addy, who became a father for the first time earlier in the week, and the finish from Williams underlined his predatory instincts.

Five minutes later, with Bradford camped in Sheffield's half, Sidlow collected possession from dummy half and barrelled over the line.

The prop celebrated with gusto with his team-mates and Addy converted both tries to make it 18-14 and put Smith's men into the lead for the first time.

Thomas added a drop-goal to stretch Bradford's advantage but Sheffield roused themselves again and, after a brawl broke out, they stretched the Bulls in the right corner but it came to nothing.

Sure enough, the Bulls struck again with seven minutes remaining when Welham powered under the posts from close range and Addy converted.

Smith's reign is up and running and off to a winning start.