Dewsbury Rams 26, Bradford Bulls 36

IT would perhaps be stretching it to say that Dane Chisholm was the difference yesterday, but it would not be too far wide of the mark.

At a sun-drenched Tetley’s Stadium, Dewsbury fought as if their lives depended on it from start to finish.

There is something that stirs the Rams’ blood when they come up against their big-city neighbours.

Glenn Morrison’s men had already dumped the Bulls out of the Challenge Cup on this ground and won at Odsal during the regular league campaign.

Once again, they roused themselves in spectacular fashion and two late tries cut Bradford’s lead to four points before Mitch Clark barrelled over the line at the death to finish off the Rams.

Ultimately, the Bulls were left grateful to the contribution of master craftsman Chisholm, who was simply irresistible at times.

Consider the exquisite long pass he threw out to Ethan Ryan which sent the winger over the line in the left corner during the first half.

Admire the way in which he outfoxed the Dewsbury defence and put Kris Welham clear in the second period.

Above all, sit back and applaud his brilliant long-range try which saw him outstrip the Rams’ rearguard down the left flank during the final quarter.

Such touches of genuine class can be few and far between at this level, but Chisholm is a player blessed with natural talent and the Bulls will build their team around him next season.

It was a fourth straight win for Rohan Smith’s men in the Championship Shield and moved them a step closer towards silverware.

The match was attended by chairman Marc Green, who was joined in the main stand by former managing director Steve Ferres.

Talk of a change of ownership continues to swirl around Odsal with pay-day looming and Robbie Hunter-Paul having been confirmed as the latest departure from the club.

On the field, the Bulls are still conceding tries but the performance of referee Scott Mikalauskas yesterday left head coach Smith, his players and every Bradford supporter bemused.

It was a niggly affair which saw Dewsbury open the scoring in the sixth minute when Andy Kain’s bomb was fielded by Shane Grady into the path of winger Dale Morton, who touched down in the right corner.

Yet the Bulls always gave the inescapable impression they could move through the gears when the opportunities arose – and so it proved in the 12th minute.

Some clever dummy running from Kurt Haggerty across the face of the Dewsbury defence saw the former Leigh man find Danny Addy with a short pass.

Addy kept the move flowing and his offload ushered the supporting Jay Pitts over the line.

Joe Keyes converted before James Glover booted a penalty from under the posts to level things up.

Moments later, Chisholm kicked a delightful 40-20 as rookie Donald Kudangirana could not prevent the ball bouncing and finding touch.

How often does this highly-skilled tactical manoeuvre lead to a try?

Well, it did so again here as, straight from the scrum 10 metres out, Danny Williams scarpered over in the right corner for a simple score.

The departing winger once again illustrated his knack of finding the line but Kris Welham knocked on straight from the restart.

From that set, Dewsbury breached the Bulls' line again as Kain cleverly found Aaron Brown advancing at pace inside the Bulls' 20-metre line.

Loose forward Brown has enough speed and strength to charge through a gap in the visiting rearguard and touch down for a try which Glover converted.

That made it 12-10 to Morrison's men before Keyes almost weaved his way over with a fine jinking run which led to an opportunity for Williams that was spurned.

Addy was then stopped just short before Kieren Moss knocked on under no pressure as he attempted to field a kick.

From that scrum, Dewsbury were twice denied a try from close range before Chisholm broke away only for Mikalauskas to bring back play for an earlier Dewsbury knock-on.

It was very much nip and tuck but the class of Chisholm harvested a superb try for Ryan in the 32nd minute.

Spotting the homegrown winger unmarked on the left-hand touchline, Chisholm threw a superb pass out to Ryan who had a relatively simple task of touching down in the corner.

Keyes could not convert but soon after the Bulls scored again as Williams finished off a slick handling sequence in the right corner.

Keyes missed the goal attempt and, right on the stroke of half-time, Welham accidentally caught an opponent late, which led to Haggerty clashing with Tonks as punches were thrown.

Mikalauskas consulted with his tough judges before awarding a penalty to Dewsbury which Glover converted.

That made it 18-14 at the break and another penalty from Glover cut the gap to two points five minutes after the restart.

Glover missed another penalty attempt soon after and the pendulum gradually swung in the Bulls’ favour.

Chisholm produced some exhilarating footwork to saunter past a clutch of statuesque Dewsbury defenders before a simple offload sent Welham over in the left corner.

Green roared his approval and punched the air in delight.

Williams then went close to completing a hat-trick before being hauled into touch and then, in the 67th minute, Chisholm stole the show.

Collecting a pass from Moss on his own 20-metre line, Chisholm outstripped the Dewsbury defence down the left flank and raced clear for a stunning individual effort.

Yet Morrison has fashioned a side with guts.

With nine minutes remaining, Speakman burrowed over from close range for a try that Bradford’s players could scarcely believed had been awarded.

But Mikalauskas gave it and it certainly breathed new life into the Rams while Pitts went close at the other end.

Four minutes later, Dewsbury struck again when Crookes ran across the face of the Bradford defence from left to right, finding Morton with a pass that sent the winger scurrying over in the corner.

Grady added the extras and cut Bradford’s lead to four points but the Bulls held on and Clark barrelled over in the closing stages.