ROHAN Smith insisted the Bulls were “comfortably the better team” as they saw off struggling Swinton 46-28 to claim their fifth successive Championship Shield win.

In a match which saw homegrown winger Ethan Ryan score a superb hat-trick, the relegation-threatened visitors breached Bradford’s line five times.

They cut the Bulls’ lead to ten points during the second half of a match which saw Kurt Haggerty sent off shortly before half-time for fighting in a mass brawl.

The same incident also saw Swinton captain Andy Thornley shown a yellow card while Stuart Little and Kris Welham were also sin-binned for dissent either side of half-time by referee Tom Crashley.

Head coach Smith said: “It was comfortable in large parts and there was a patch when it got close and a bit tight.

“We clocked off a few times after the ball hit the ground and Swinton took advantage of that with a couple of easy tries.

“That made it interesting but I thought we were comfortably the better team against a side who fired some bullets at us.

“Swinton moved the ball about consistently and asked a lot of questions of us.

“But all five tries came when we had less than 13 men on the field, so you don't practise for those kind of things.

“Overall, I thought we tackled well throughout the game but probably didn't defend great.”

Smith said he did not see the incident which saw Haggerty dismissed but added: “I can't be critical of the sin-binnings for dissent because it seemed like both players for each team had several cracks at the referee.

“A lot of the grubby stuff can be eradicated if the officials and the RFL choose to go that way.

“Obviously if they don't, you're going to have to fight fire with fire at times.”

Smith, who saw full back Kieren Moss depart in the second half with a facial injury which required stitches under his chin, paid tribute to Dane Chisholm for his timely contribution in the second half.

Swinton had the scent of a famous fightback when Chisholm intercepted a loose pass and ran clear to score.

Smith, who also singled out Ryan for praise after his treble, said of Chisholm: “I don't want to discourage Dane from playing, but it's about managing the game.

“At times he came up with some plays that we really needed, such as his interception try which came at a point when we really needed it.

“Dane is adapting to being the focal point of the team because for a large part of his career he has been playing reserve grade and been hoping to get an opportunity with a big team.

“Now he is the focal point and at times he is putting the responsibility on his shoulders.

“He doesn't have to all the time – he can let others make plays – but I think he's been the difference in most games he's played for us.”