Forward-thinking Halley provides helping hand (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Forward-thinking Halley provides helping hand

7:20am Tuesday 16th June 2009 in

By Dave Craven »

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Dave Halley today revealed how the Bulls’ outside backs have vowed to take the heat off their forward team-mates.

The elusive full back starred in Sunday’s win at Warrington Wolves with a series of ground-eating runs to get his side on the front foot.

Every time speedster Halley coolly defused kicks he seemed to evade tackles and surge up field.

Both he and wingman Rikki Sheriffe chalked up massive stats of more than 200 metres each while Semi Tadulala also made plenty of impact on the left flank, meaning Bradford’s pack was fresh to rip into the Wolves.

One of the most important aspects in Super League now is for the back three to make metres when sets are started
Dave Halley

“Doing that helps those lads, especially in hot conditions like Sunday,” said the in-form Wales international, who has bagged the man-of-the-match award two weeks running.

“If our forwards are having to run back 40 metres and turn around to work the ball out it makes it all a lot harder.

“One of the most important aspects in Super League now is for the back three to make metres when sets are started.

“That’s what me, Rikki and Semi tried to do at Warrington and all three of us really enjoyed it out there.

“Along with Platty, we all got together on Sunday and had a look at some video of Warrington to watch their kicking and see how we could get our sets off on a roll, and it worked well.”

But equally impressive was the Bulls’ goal-line tackling as they kept an in-form Wolves offence muzzled right up until the 54th minute.

“It was the best defensive performance we’ve put up all year,” Halley admitted, who had been part of the side that shipped 58 points against the same opponents in April.

“You have to do that these days as there are so many good attacking players, especially in that Warrington side.

“We’d spoke about that a lot during the week and they did really test us. We were on our own try-line for most of the first half and it’s massive for our confidence.

“We know we can do it and defend like that and it proved the case on Sunday.

“We’ll be tested again this weekend when Saints come here but I can’t wait to play again.

“They’re on form but we’re hitting some form too.”

Leaders St Helens will be formidable opponents but if the Bulls – now just a point off the play-off places – can repeat such defensive solidity, and Halley’s fast feet continue doing the talking, a third straight win is easily within their grasp.

Comments(32)

Steampig says...
7:58am Tue 16 Jun 09

Halley has been playing well all season, runs the ball back with pace and straight which is something Platt never does,

I hope they can carry some confidence and form in to the saints game, it will be very tough against them but we have beaten them once so lets see if we can do it again, we will have to cut the errors in attack and be massive in defence if we are to stand any chance of backing up against saints. COYB!!