How about that for Bradford Bulls kicking off in style?

6:00am Monday 4th February 2013 in Match Reports Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Jarrod Sammut dives across the line for the first of his two tries Jarrod Sammut dives across the line for the first of his two tries

Bradford Bulls 40, Wakefield Wildcats 6

It is an intriguing thought.

If the Bulls can maintain this level of performance and stay healthy for the majority of the campaign, what might they be capable of in 2013?

They outclassed Wakefield comprehensively yesterday, giving Francis Cummins a near perfect start to his tenure as head coach.

The Bulls’ teamwork was matchless, their conviction unshakeable.

They simply had too much energy and desire for a Wakefield outfit who ended last season in the play-offs.

Their eighth-placed finish – at the expense of the Bulls – came on the back of a club-record seven straight Super League wins.

The Wildcats never looked capable of reproducing that form yesterday, but they were not allowed to.

The Bulls were dominant from start to finish, controlling possession and taking their chances with aplomb.

Bradford reduced Wakefield’s pack to rubble and dripped with ideas and creativity in the backs.

Positives emerged pretty much everywhere you looked, not least in the performances of the three new recruits.

Cummins handed debuts to Jamie Foster at full back and Matty Blythe at right centre, while prop Adam Sidlow made his bow off the bench.

All three played pivotal roles.

Foster was safe and assured, kicking six goals from seven attempts and scoring a try after Blythe and Sidlow both touched down in the opening 40 minutes.

Jarrod Sammut?

He was at his impish and impudent best, dovetailing effectively with the effervescent Brett Kearney and capitalising on the platform laid by a powerful, mobile Bulls pack.

Sammut showed only glimpses of his rare ability last season due to a combination of cruel luck with injuries and the form of Ben Jeffries.

Perhaps this could be his year.

Wakefield, it has to be said, were fairly woeful.

Much credit has gone to Richard Agar for the way he has rebuilt the club in the wake of the club’s administration two years ago and rightly so.

But his men could not match the Bulls’ stomach for the fight and were ripped apart in the opening 40 minutes.

Agar called his side’s physicality “disgraceful” afterwards and he was right.

The feelgood factor was palpable when Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe were introduced to the crowd shortly before kick-off.

Charm and charisma drips from Khan and the Bulls owner took the opportunity to speak to the fans on the microphone, even drawing a wave and a cheer from Wakefield’s supporters.

The last time Khan and Sutcliffe had stepped out on the pitch to indulge supporters, the Bulls were stuffed 70-6 by Hull.

That pasting effectively ended their play-off hopes and came just hours after Khan stepped in to rescue the club from oblivion.

Do not underestimate how close the Bulls came to being liquidated last September.

Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle was ready and willing to pull the plug on a rugby league institution.

Khan stepped in when others would not and has breathed life into a dying club.

What a difference five months makes.

Hull FC coach Peter Gentle, whose team host Bradford on Friday night, watched proceedings unfold from the top of the newly-named Provident Stand yesterday.

He cannot fail to have been impressed as the Bulls, slowly but surely, took Wakefield to the cleaners.

After Ben Cockayne kicked off for the visitors, the Bulls soon established a foothold on proceedings and when they scored in the ninth minute, it came as no surprise to anyone.

Sammut collected possession on the Bulls’ 40-metre line and showed impressive pace, strength and clever footwork to break through a clutch of defenders and make at least 20 metres.

He then showed intelligence to find Foster to his left and the former St Helens man had a plethora of options as team-mates raced forward to support him.

Foster kept the move flowing with a neat short offload to Tom Olbison and he in turn found Chev Walker in the left corner.

Walker had Michael Platt close by and quickly ushered him over the line with a simple pass to cap a brilliant team try.

Foster added a fine touchline conversion to put the Bulls 6-0 ahead before Wakefield gradually steadied themselves.

However, the Wildcats were soon on back foot again when former Leeds full back Richie Mathers knocked on, giving the Bulls another set deep in the visitors’ territory.

Bradford continued to look full of ideas, with Blythe soon on hand to scoot over the line from close range.

Foster again converted confidently and the Bulls were 12-0 up and in total control.

The hosts continued to probe and, after some neat offloading from Matt Diskin and Walker, Kearney clipped a teasing grubber kick behind the Wakefield defence, trapping a Wakefield player and forcing the visitors into a goal-line drop-out.

That gifted possession straight back to the Bulls and Sidlow, on for Manase Manuokafoa, looked to have sent Kearney over the line.

Referee Ben Thaler ruled the score out for an apparent offside but Sidlow was soon on hand to crash under the posts from close range.

Foster added the extras and the Bulls were cruising at 18-0 up.

Four minutes before the break, Sammut took centre stage after scampering clear from the base of a scrum to cross in the left corner.

It was a fine individual effort and just reward for his display, although Foster could not add the extras from the touchline.

Wakefield enjoyed a brief purple patch on the stroke of half-time but it amounted to nothing as the Bulls held firm.

The second half followed in a similar vein to that of the previous 40 minutes; Bradford constantly forcing Wakefield to retreat towards their own line and dominating possession.

The Wildcats buckled again six minutes after the break when Kearney’s teasing grubber kick was grounded by the onrushing Foster.

Try number six arrived in the 52nd minute when Heath L’Estrange’s quick pass invited Sammut to drive at the heart of the Wakefield defence.

He did just that and some nimble footwork left Mathers clutching at thin air as Sammut crossed for his second try of the match.

Manuokafoa came back on to punch more holes in the Wakefield defence and Elliott Whitehead almost burrowed over the line.

Wakefield replied with 16 minutes remaining when skipper Danny Kirmond charged down a kick, allowing Dean Collis to race clear from inside his own half to score.

But there was still time for Kearney to power clear from 30 metres after leaving Mathers for dead and Foster kicked his sixth goal from seven attempts.

A new era and new hope for the Bulls as they look to make the play-offs for the first time since 2008.

Attendance: 10,424

Comments(36)

wembley bound says...
6:38am Mon 4 Feb 13

Wakefield that 1 season wonder team aren't they ?
Its one game don't get excited.

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bullybullman says...
7:14am Mon 4 Feb 13

What a great match report ! I went into the coral stand after the game & the buzz was unreal Omar Khan is a true gent very approachable & has a great passion for the club.

What a great start to the season I have no doubt there will be a lot of peopel who want us to fail but from where we were to where are is a great achievment & there are lots of things to get excited about the way the team bonded & played as a team was something tht has been lacking in recent times.

The buzz around the place if fantasic & I am sure yesterdays platform will be built on & we will go from strength to strength. It is a shame that certain iditos feel the need to mouth off on here & try dragging the good work down but I suppose every village has its idiot wembley bound takes that job well.

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Sheffieldbull says...
8:00am Mon 4 Feb 13

Its so tiresome having to read the posts from the usual naysayers and bitter 'Know it alls' that love to point out that its 'just one match' - wow! take a bow, well worked out - 'Brain of Britain' here you come!.

Great start to the season, great team display, great individual performances from many of the lads, great feel good atmosphere and great result.

To all those who love to state the blinding obvious, go play somewhere else, we Bulls fans are enjoying our first impressive win of the season, the fact that it irks some of you just makes it even sweeter! COYBs.....

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wembley bound says...
8:13am Mon 4 Feb 13

I am pointing out the truth Sheff, 1 sandwich does not make a picnic. Lets see the response at the half way mark and if you are still doing well and look like you are going to win something I might " do a viking " and come watch a game.

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UNBULLIEVABLE says...
8:53am Mon 4 Feb 13

It was great to be back at Odsal , good game , good crowd , great result - the team spirit seems pretty high as it did in BOTH pre season games - long may it continue! - to the "naysayers" - we can only play who is in front of us and give our best! - we did that yesterday, providing we continue doing that the results will take care of themselves!

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Wipsi says...
9:17am Mon 4 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
Wakefield that 1 season wonder team aren't they ? Its one game don't get excited.
Up early,need a nappy change?

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Solomon Grundy says...
9:26am Mon 4 Feb 13

Great team performance, much to be encouraged about. If Sammut and Kearney can buzz around the halves like that and Sammut produce off the cuff brilliance like he did yesterday we will will play some real rugby and be a side to watch. Thought Foster at FB showed up really well.

The conditioner has done a good job too, they looked in very good nick and with a bit a power up top and a lot of pace too.

That said Wakey were dire. It will be a bit harder at Hull on Friday.

Nevertheless an excellent start and we can look forward from here.

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nosher says...
9:30am Mon 4 Feb 13

To the proper bulls supporters. The majority on here make their comments good and bad, win lose or draw. That is fine. We should all ignore the trolls. It wont be easy, but if we just ignore them they may get fed up.

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Essexbull2 says...
9:48am Mon 4 Feb 13

A fantastic performance from the Bulls. Thought all of the team looked hungry for success and hopefully they can get a bit of a roll on, albeit noting that Wakefield were terrible and that really helped us.

Off the field, Rome wasn't built in a day, but I thought that the club slipped up on a few items. 1. Running out of programmes over 30 mins before KO 2. The shop was a bit of a sorry sight, worsened when the steps collapsed and we all got held inside for a while. People had money that they wanted to spend and the club needs money, so I hope that commercial side of things is sorted asap.

Great start. COYB!!

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Ever positive says...
10:03am Mon 4 Feb 13

Wipsi wrote:
wembley bound wrote:
Wakefield that 1 season wonder team aren't they ? Its one game don't get excited.
Up early,need a nappy change?
For what its worth I think you seriously need to go visit a psychiatrist before whatever is troubling you takes over your life. Perhaps you have failed your GCEs, unemployed, recently divorced, lost your house, bereavement etc, but there are people out there that can help you through your troubles. A visit to your local doctor would be a start on your road to recovery.

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Rich73 says...
10:05am Mon 4 Feb 13

enjoyed yesterday, played some really good stuff, thought Sammut was excellent

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Ever positive says...
10:06am Mon 4 Feb 13

Helpful advice for Wembley bound, not Wipsi (unless they are the same).

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Prycey says...
10:18am Mon 4 Feb 13

It was an enjoyable afternoon which is what sport is all about. Wakey were terrible but we were also very good. Our pack looks decent and Langley did go up front. I thought Chev was excellent at loose forward. He really looked the part and I was pleased when he came back on. I can’t wait to see Bateman, Gale and Purtell back in a few weeks. I think we may struggle at Hull as they will be out for revenge over someone after Friday. 10,424 people turned up and all of them paid the full price for whichever level of ticket they were on. Much better than selling 10K tickets at £60 - £90 and making a loss. Two people went with me and paid £20 + £5 parking so everyone in there yesterday paid the going rate which is what we were all saying should happen. Nearly 4K walk-up supporters yesterday in February which is a good amount at full price. The club is being run as a proper business for the first time in years but it will take time to get everything right both on and off the field. Good start though and well done to the lads. P.S. If you reply to the idiots you are as much to blame for them!

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Blackie-Lawless says...
10:36am Mon 4 Feb 13

A good start, and plenty of positives to take from the game, i was impressed with the way the forwards took the ball in and the defence was strong, we had great field position and forced countless drop outs, We came through without picking up any injuries too which is always a bonus. the challange now is to maintain those standards and kick on, yes wakey were poor but i think in large part that was because we dominated them from the get go and never let them build any kind of pressure of their own.

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Positivepete says...
11:01am Mon 4 Feb 13

Just awesome. Will be happy if we play half as well for rest of season. Problem is we have been given a taste of the likes we haven't seen for a while.

Who says we are light in the forwards? Bossed it here and at Headingley.

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Shipley Paul says...
11:13am Mon 4 Feb 13

After all the hype surrounding our lack of props it was interesting to see Chev Walker doing his bit up front, and looking big and mobile in the middle. No doubt we will get beaten at some point, but the team that played yesterday can compete, make no mistake.

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modman61 says...
11:26am Mon 4 Feb 13

Cracking start to the season but lets not get carried away. Nice to open with a win and post 40 points on the board. Lets hope we can stay clear of injuruies as sqaud looks a bit light. If the bulls carry on like this then they should be there or there abouts.

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wembley bound says...
11:39am Mon 4 Feb 13

Yes lets stay injury free and lets win this weeks lottery.
Rolls eyes

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franklyn says...
11:50am Mon 4 Feb 13

Positivepete wrote:
Just awesome. Will be happy if we play half as well for rest of season. Problem is we have been given a taste of the likes we haven't seen for a while.

Who says we are light in the forwards? Bossed it here and at Headingley.
think what was meant was we are light in cover in the front row.
great show yesterday though and if we can keep clear of injuries it should be a good season for us. the lads showed a great attitude yesterday, we all know it will be harder at hull on friday,but a repeat of yesterdays show and at least we'll give them a game. ( not as at the end of last season ).
Three more good men to come into this squad that played yesterday. this can only be good. just hope we can have a change of luck on the injury front i'm sure we are due a bit of good luck. sometimes it's not a bad thing to have a small squad of good players, rather than a lot of players not getting a game on a regular basis.

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Solomon Grundy says...
11:57am Mon 4 Feb 13

Very impressed with Chev Walker, thought he ran Sammut close for MOM - and also Olbison appears to have put some size on and really jumped on too which is going to be important.

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Parz says...
12:01pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Solomon Grundy wrote:
Great team performance, much to be encouraged about. If Sammut and Kearney can buzz around the halves like that and Sammut produce off the cuff brilliance like he did yesterday we will will play some real rugby and be a side to watch. Thought Foster at FB showed up really well. The conditioner has done a good job too, they looked in very good nick and with a bit a power up top and a lot of pace too. That said Wakey were dire. It will be a bit harder at Hull on Friday. Nevertheless an excellent start and we can look forward from here.
Just in reference to the conditioner, is it just me or did anyone else think that Tom Olbison looked massive yesterday compared to last year?

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bull on a canary says...
12:23pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Okay - it was only one match. But we won it, we won it well and and showed some promise and hope for the rest of the season. And let's face it - most people know that after the last 12 months this year is not about winning competitions but about winning individual matches and building for next year. Not just building a team of good players but building a CLUB with solid foundations. The solid financial foundations will depend on good crowds, and they will turn up if the team puts in good performances that everyone can be enthusiastic about.
So be enthusiastic. Enjoy the win. And let's maintain the enthusiasm through the whole season - even when we lose! A happy team playing enthusiastic rugby to thrill bigger and bigger crowds has to be this year's objective. By doing so we will hopefully win more than we lose and build a club with hopes of greater success in the next few seasons.

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wembley bound says...
12:40pm Mon 4 Feb 13

See how a few defeats change the mood, that's the key and something we at city have not experienced in our cup run.

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Bone_idle18 says...
12:59pm Mon 4 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
Yes lets stay injury free and lets win this weeks lottery.
Rolls eyes
More chance of us staying injury free and me winning lottery than you saying anything useful!

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nosher says...
1:19pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Bone idle. Ignore it

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Parz says...
1:55pm Mon 4 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
See how a few defeats change the mood, that's the key and something we at city have not experienced in our cup run.
Considering 'a few defeats' is actually impossible in a cup run, otherwise it wouldn't be a run, then no you wouldn't have would you?

If you're going to be a troll, at least do it intelligently. Better luck next time.

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wembley bound says...
2:36pm Mon 4 Feb 13

That's why it became a run as we did not lose a game.

Question 1:
How many on here going to wembley ?
Question 2:
How many games have you attended this season?

Now answer truthfully and don't turn into billy liar viking.

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Parz says...
3:19pm Mon 4 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
That's why it became a run as we did not lose a game. Question 1: How many on here going to wembley ? Question 2: How many games have you attended this season? Now answer truthfully and don't turn into billy liar viking.
1. I'm not.

2. 1 game.

Question 3. What's your point?

Question 4. What has it got to do with the actual story?

If you want to talk rugby then feel free, but seriously if you're just here to troll then get back under you're bridge. It's people like you that make this forum barely worth reading.

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dibsy says...
3:43pm Mon 4 Feb 13

wembley bound wrote:
That's why it became a run as we did not lose a game.

Question 1:
How many on here going to wembley ?
Question 2:
How many games have you attended this season?

Now answer truthfully and don't turn into billy liar viking.
What are you trying to prove this is a rugby forum .I am sorry you are on the wrong site.Great performance yesterday ,but lets not get carried away.If we stay free from a lot of injuries and have a bit of luck we could be the surprise team this year.Lets hope so ,the Bulls fans and Omar deserve this by sticking by BradfordC.O.Y.B

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Sheffieldbull says...
3:53pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Parz, reel it in, you caught the poxy little troll beautifully!

I find it highly offensive that this slimy little slug has the audacity to call anyone else a liar. This is the coward that changes its user name as often as its pants -and probably more often, It lies, steals it, it insults and it spoils.Hated equally both on here and the City forums it offers nothing but make no mistake it won't go away. This is all that it's got in it's miserable little existence. Sad isn't it?

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Parz says...
4:16pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Sheffieldbull wrote:
Parz, reel it in, you caught the poxy little troll beautifully! I find it highly offensive that this slimy little slug has the audacity to call anyone else a liar. This is the coward that changes its user name as often as its pants -and probably more often, It lies, steals it, it insults and it spoils.Hated equally both on here and the City forums it offers nothing but make no mistake it won't go away. This is all that it's got in it's miserable little existence. Sad isn't it?
Why thank you! It is sad yeah, but every now and then it's nice to ruin thier fun.

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WayneRouke says...
7:27pm Mon 4 Feb 13

It was my first outing to a Bulls match and I have to say I was extremely impressed by the quality of fans there.

There was no prejudice (well, apart from against the wildcats, which was expected), no racism and no off pitch violence towards the opposing teams fans. Just people out to have a good afternoon, watching a game they love, cheering on their team

In the toilets, I spotted someone wearing a wildcats top, in the middle of Bulls fans, and my first thought was "He is brave". But he was left unhindered and unharrassed. I wonder if he would have received the same courtesy had it been a toilet full of football fans(or even come out alive).

The wildcats were applauded by the Bulls for their try, which in my view was a very good try and deserved applause.

The vehicle exit from Richard Dunne Car park was extremely well managed by the police/stewards and I was out within ten minutes.

In spite of the bitter cold, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I know its a long time since I attended a football match, but I was put off sometime ago by the mindless violence that took place against the opposing teams fans (and vice versa), and the property damage which took place. I did not wish to be part of that scene and have never returned.

I do not know, but I wonder if nowadays, football is as civilised as Rugby.

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Wipsi says...
9:06pm Mon 4 Feb 13

WayneRouke wrote:
It was my first outing to a Bulls match and I have to say I was extremely impressed by the quality of fans there. There was no prejudice (well, apart from against the wildcats, which was expected), no racism and no off pitch violence towards the opposing teams fans. Just people out to have a good afternoon, watching a game they love, cheering on their team In the toilets, I spotted someone wearing a wildcats top, in the middle of Bulls fans, and my first thought was "He is brave". But he was left unhindered and unharrassed. I wonder if he would have received the same courtesy had it been a toilet full of football fans(or even come out alive). The wildcats were applauded by the Bulls for their try, which in my view was a very good try and deserved applause. The vehicle exit from Richard Dunne Car park was extremely well managed by the police/stewards and I was out within ten minutes. In spite of the bitter cold, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I know its a long time since I attended a football match, but I was put off sometime ago by the mindless violence that took place against the opposing teams fans (and vice versa), and the property damage which took place. I did not wish to be part of that scene and have never returned. I do not know, but I wonder if nowadays, football is as civilised as Rugby.
Welcome to the game of rugby league, I have enjoyed every single moment of this great sport since 1964,good and bad,great or indifferent,it becomes a passion,then you here fools belittling this great sport of ours with the disparaging,contempt
uouos sneering remarks,but its been that way since 1895,we won't stop now,and nor will the good people of our great sport allow it to.
CORL...COYB

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wembley bound says...
10:20pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Viking log on under your own name you are boring whatever name you log in under so take the credit for curing my insomnia.

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Wipsi says...
11:08pm Mon 4 Feb 13

No simpleton, not VIiking,just another with the same principles,how easy it is fool a fool,bite again son!

....
Come on now you've had your wee,back into your cot.
....
Haitch come on back mate,lets see em off with some wit
.
.....its easy just ridicule the the trolls....don't tolerate

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theviking62 says...
2:22pm Tue 5 Feb 13

Egg Bound, here I am, not Wipsi. But will you post under your original name as well and not TBC/SLC52. I see he keeps coming back, and chastising you.

Wipsi, to quote Corporal Jones, " They don't like it up 'em. " they being Trolls.

Great result, more to come, this season. By the way Egg Bound, do you know what the word GRAMMAR means.

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