Wakefield Wildcats 18 Bradford Bulls 36

Elliott Whitehead scored a superb hat-trick as the Bulls romped to a surprisingly emphatic victory at Wakefield in tonight's encounter.

The homegrown second-rower claimed a fine interception try shortly before half-time and then touched down two clever kicks from Ben Jeffries after the break.

Mick Potter's men found themselves behind after barely 40 seconds when Ben Cockayne touched down but they fashioned a spirited response.

Tries from Keith Lulia and Whitehead put 12-10 ahead at the break but they conceded a try within three minutes of the restart when Danny Kirmond went over.

Yet the response from the Bulls could hardly have been more emphatic as they claimed four tries in 15 minutes.

Brett Kearney touched down in the 50th minute, Whitehead grabbed his second five minutes later and then completed his treble in the 61st minute.

Kearney completed his brace three minutes later and, although Wakefield hit back through Richie Mathers, the Bulls ran out comfortable victors in what was the perfect response to last weekend's home thumping against Wigan.

Whitehead took centre stage but Jeffries, Kearney, Heath L'Estrange, John Bateman and Craig Kopczak all enjoyed outstanding games.