Bulls back to winning ways as Charnock makes dream debut

THE Bulls got back to winning ways but had to work hard for the points at struggling Workington Town.

The visitors had controlled most of the first-half, building an 18-6 lead but were shocked by a Town recovery as the hosts came through to lead 22-18 inside the final quarter.

However. Bulls rallied and after James Clare’s try had levelled up, debutant Lewis Charnock snatched the crucial try when he burst through tired tackling to make the line.

For added insurance, Danny Addy landed a field goal in the closing minutes as the Bulls closed in on their second win under coach Rohan Smith.

Bradford needed a performance to make amends for last week’s shock home defeat by Dewsbury, while Workington Town just needed a win.

Rock-bottom Town were being cut adrift, despite some encouraging displays recently in defeat.

The Bulls handed debuts to Australian full-back Kieren Moss and St. Helens half-back Lewis Charnock, while their hosts opted for Jamie Doran as Jarrod Sammut’s half-back partner instead of Carl Forber.

Moss had his first test after Sammut finished the opening Town set with a huge bomb and the Parramatta man took it well before making a solid clearing run.

Bradford’s first set ended with a high kick from Addy well fielded by young Theerapol Ritson.

Workington had early pressure on the Bulls line and Jack Murphy was stopped inches short but a penalty for Bulls was hammered deep into Workington territory.

Town were made to pay on eight minutes when Adam O’Brien dived in from close range early in the set and Addy converted.

Two minutes later Town were level. Just inside the Workington half a pass from Jay Pitts went astray, and was snaffled by Sammut who raced from half-way to dive over under the posts. Sammut converted.

Bulls scored again on 18 minutes, and once more it stemmed from a penalty knocked deep into Workington territory.

Two initial drives were held up on the line but then O’Brien spun out a long pass and Ethan Ryan dived in at the corner. Addy put over the touchline conversion.

It was now the Addy show. He put in a 40-20 to set-up more pressure on Town and after initially defending well, the home side gave away a silly penalty from a tackle.

This time Bradford went over on the fifth tackle through Adam Sidlow, and Addy added the extras.

The game was being played in the Town half and when Charnock kicked through Murphy gathered but was pushed back over his line.

Then an Addy kick through was knocked dead from behind the try line by Forber, and strong defence by Town on repeat Bulls' sets put Kris Welham in touch by the corner flag.

When Workington did make ground a Sammut kick on the last tackle came off the post and, although the visiting Bulls regained possession, it only lasted two tackles.

Town finished the half strongly and two minutes before the break they scored their second try.

The hosts worked the ball to the left where Murphy’ cut out ball saw Sam Forrester go sliding in at the corner. Forber’s failed conversion attempt was the last action of the half and an 18-10 lead for the Bulls was probably about right.

Bradford were put in a good position from the restart when Marc Shackley conceded a silly penalty. Addy put the ball deep into Town territory and both Moss and James Clare were stopped close to the line.

Town replied strongly after Pitts made a head-tackle on Sammut. But a promising position was initially halted before Sammut came to Workington’s aid again.

On 47 minutes he stepped and then charged at the line from close range and got through a clutch of defenders on the line to get the ball down. Sammut converted and at 16-18 it was game on.

There was now a spring to Workington’s step and the enthusiasm they were showing brought a positive reaction from the home fans.

It brought its reward too with a fine try on 53 minutes to give Workington the lead for the first time. The ball was moved smartly along the line and Declan Hulme finished off, diving in for the try. Sammut landed a fine conversion.

Then it was Bradford’s turn to turn the screw and Paul Clough was desperately close to stretching out and scoring under the posts. But the final kick from Addy was poor and Murphy ran it clear.

The Bulls levelled-up with a try on 64 minutes. The ball was moved wide and Town had ran out of numbers allowing Clare to touchdown in splendid isolation in the corner.

Addy failed with the kick to leave the sides all square going into the last 15 minutes.

Mitch Clark then thought he had restored Bradford’s lead when he dived in from close range but spilled the ball in the process.

But seven minutes from the end the Bulls had the cushion of six points again. Debutant Charnock battled his way through two poor tackles to stretch out and score, with Addy putting over the conversion.

Then to make sure, after 77 minutes, Addy put over a field goal as the away side finished-off another spell of pressure in the Workington ten zone.

It was enough, because Workington’s final attack was defused by strong Bulls defending.

It wasn't always pretty from Smith's men, but it was a win and a hard-earned one at that.