Evans-sent victory for brilliant Bulls

10:13am Sunday 16th March 2008

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Bulls 23 Warrington 10

Bloodied James Evans typified this victory over Warrington.

The much under-rated Bulls player started at centre today - switched from the wing due to injuries.

By the end of the contest he had also featured back on the wing and at full back but, wherever he slotted in, one thing remained the same: the Australian's sheer doggedness and relentless spirit.

Time and again he produced last-ditch tackles, whether it be a thunderous hit on superstar Matt King, racing over to somehow deny Paul Johnson in the corner or clinging on when Louis Anderson seemed destined for the whitewash. And all that came in the first half.

Warrington boss Paul Cullen blamed his side's loss on a lack of patience and forcing the pass too often but it was more down to Evans' brilliance and the guts of his team-mates in another excellent backs-to-the-wall win.

There were some high-calibre performances as the depleted Bulls defied the odds to put the much-fancied visitors to the sword.

Pacey half-back Ben Jeffries had his best game for the club, Simon Finnigan tackled himself to a standstill in the absence of crocked Glenn Morrison and Jamie Langley while the classy Paul Sykes once more shone grabbing his fifth try in six games.

Skipper Paul Deacon also contributed a kicking masterclass but unsung hero Evans warranted the plaudits, the archetypal team player.

He kept Test star King in his back pocket all afternoon, doing what most NRL defences regularly failed to by reducing Warrington's main strike weapon to a mere passenger.

What was Evans' secret to such domination?

"Matt King's a fantastic player but when you're out there, you don't think about anything like that; he's just another player," Evans said, with his usual modesty.

"I try to put it in each and every week. Today was a great team performance and it was a great win.

"As for shifting around, I don't mind a bit. Last week in Perpignan, I was at wing, centre and back-row but this week it was centre, wing and full-back. I love it. It's a challenge for me."

When Wolves lynchpin Lee Briers spilled the kick-off, you could sense it might be the Bulls' day despite their crippling injury-list.

Soon after, Deacon slotted a penalty - the first of 11 points with his boot - and they were on their way.

Sykes, moved to full back in Michael Platt's absence, looked shaky early on as Vinnie Anderson cruised past him and then he misjudged a Briers kick to concede a 40/20.

But he demonstrated his own class by scoring a fine try on 11 minutes, arrowing onto Jeffries' sharp pass and cutting in between Louis Anderson and Michael Monaghan.

Deacon improved but then came the first wave of Warrington attacks. Ex-Bull Paul Johnson came away with a try when the Bradford line did finally break but Steve McNamara must have been delighted with the way his side otherwise dealt with Super League's highest scorers.

It wasn't until 50 minutes later that the visitors pierced them again via Briers' lofted kick for Super League's top scorer Chris Hicks. But by then the hosts, without four first-choice starters, had built up the advantage.

Great Britain ace Sam Burgess crowned another fine display by latching onto Deacon's grubber to cross for a try as, despite some annoying penalty decisions from Richard Silverwood, they built a 14-6 interval lead.

At times, Bradford showed real pace in their attacks, none more so when they raced forward from a penalty kick before the Wolves had time to set, Terry Newton unleashing an immediate backline move which was as crisp and swift as the Bulls have produced in months.

Jeffries buzzed around and it is easy to see how he will get more dangerous as David Solomona - returning for his first game of the season after a knee injury - gets back to his sharpest.

Deacon stretched the lead early after the re-start and then Sykes ended Louis Anderson's hopes of getting over with one massive hit.

Martin Gleeson was bundled into touch by some more spirited home defence and, although Hicks struck after Deacon's third penalty, there was never any doubt about the win.

McNamara had second-rows Finnigan and Chris Nero in the centre late on following injuries to Sykes and Tame Tupou but Jeffries lapped up a loose King pass to sprint in from 60 metres, putting the game to bed, and Deacon's drop goal finished the job.

Now for Leeds...