Difference in class all too obvious as Bradford Bulls trounced by Toulouse

BULLS travelled to France expecting a tough match and, although their expectations may not have been stellar, they surely would have hoped for better than the rather lame performance against a Toulouse outfit bursting with energy, ideas, creativity and skill.

This wasn't just a defeat, the biggest of the season so far, but a capitulation which would have been even worse if regular kicker Mark Kheirallah hadn't been rested for the day.

Not much to cheer about and disappointing for the 400 or so loyal travelling fans brave enough to sit through this French masterclass.

To be fair, the fans kept going for the full 80 minutes, something their young team seemed unable to do against an almost equally young French outfit.

Where to lay the blame? Difficult to say, though the club officials will cite the lack of experience and bemoan the loss of loan players, plus a few injuries, which probably exacerbated the situation. But the real culprit was the difference in class. This was men against boys and, although the Bulls tried hard, they were unable to cope with the brutal skill and professionalism of their opponents.

Toulouse were relentless for the duration and refused to allow their visitors any input.

Bulls were up against it as early as the fourth minute as Stan Robin released stand-off Jonathan Ford 15 metres out, who then waltzed past three defenders to score left of the posts. Part-time kicker and full back for the day, Tony Maurel, missed the easy kick by a mile to let the Bulls off the hook.

The hosts pressed and looked to pile on the points early doors, something which has become their trademark over the past couple of seasons.

It didn't take them long to double their score with more fine cross-field passing down the right, started by Robin with Sébastien Planas in good support and the impressive Gavin Marguerite well placed to take the pass and touch down right of the posts from ten metres out.

Maurel managed the two-pointer as the French hit double figures with only 13 minutes on the clock. This sparked the Bulls into action as they enjoyed some good possession inspired by Scott Moore and Oscar Thomas, though the attacks ended with poor conclusions and lack of ideas on the final plays.

Toulouse looked comfortable and it was no surprise on 18 minutes when Planas released young replacement winger Paul Marcon 15 metres out, who was allowed to run through to score under the post with little opposition. Maurel again completed and the task was beginning to look increasingly difficult for the visitors.

Toulouse looked to score at will but it was the Bulls who got the scoreboard moving after 25 minutes with some excellent work in the middle by Thomas, with the experienced Moore on hand to feed the perfect ball to the impressive James Davies to mark his new contract with a well-deserved try close to the posts. Thomas somehow missed the conversion but at least the visiting fans had something to cheer about.

From the kick-off, however, the French took advantage of a conceded penalty as the lively Ford released Rhys Curran running strongly to dive over with little opposition yet again. Maurel missed the kick out near the left touchline.

Toulouse were back in the driving seat as they further increased their lead seven minutes before the interval. More good work down the left saw Curran combine with Ford, who spotted Bastien Ader in space to collect and crash over unopposed. The Bradford right side looked vulnerable yet again and were duly punished. Maurel missed another kick from out wide as the hosts went into the sheds leading by 20 points.

The Bulls started brightly after the break and good work from Thomas and Moore helped force a goal line dropout from the French. Bradford threatened but knocked on crucially as the home side took advantage and produced the move of the match to put the nail in the coffin and secure victory.

The move, six minutes into the second half, was started by Kane Bentley, with Ford receiving and, with the dependable Curran ready to take the pass, Kuni Minga was on hand to cross over with ease on the left side.

The Bulls' heads dropped but Maurel failed yet again with the boot. However, he was successful seven minutes later after usual suspects Ford and Curran did the damage, with Ader this time crossing.

Toulouse looked to score at will as Bulls breaks were telegraphed and amounted to very little as the French kept up the pace.

On 56 minutes there was a moment to forget for the Bulls defence as Ford released half-back Robin 35 metres from the line. The former Catalan Dragons player carried the ball 20 metres without being touched, stopped and jinked past more defenders to score to the left of the posts. Maurel missed again but made amends with ten left on the clock.

There were more red faces in the Bradford ranks as a grubber on the last was picked up by Minga, who ran past the first three defenders near his own goal line and proceeded to run the length of the pitch to score under the posts.

The lead was up to 40 with only five minutes remaining but Toulouse were allowed to score three more tries as the visitors looked broken.

More superb handling and passing from the French, started by the impressive hooker Anthony Marion with Maurel and Curran chipping in, saw Minga dive over spectacularly in the left corner. Maurel ironically kicked his most difficult chance but failed on 78 minutes after Minga provided Maurel with a lazy pass, who then found the excellent Curran to finish off. Just for a change, Marion attempted the conversion but was wide of the posts. The scoring ended in the final minute as Robin fed the hard-working prop Bastien Canet to sail over. Maurel made the two-pointer as the score embarrassingly reached the 60-point mark.

This was a demolition job of a young Bulls side by a talented outfit. With Sheffield Eagles on the horizon next, Leigh Beattie and staff face a monumental task in raising this squad.

There were a lot of grim faces on and off the field at the end as players, staff and fans face the reality of the hole they are trying to get themselves out of.

There remains a lot of promise despite the gloom and it's no disgrace being beaten by a side with the class of Toulouse.

But serious questions need to be asked at Odsal and solutions need to be found fairly urgently if they are to achieve survival in the Championship.