Toulouse struggle to break down brilliant Bradford Bulls

Having finally broken their Millennium Stadium hoodoo to defeat Featherstone Rovers last weekend, the Bulls came into today’s fixture with confidence high, and they were able to use that to their advantage as they sealed a 19-12 victory. 

The hosts made one change from the starting lineup that put Fev to the sword last time out, with the returning Jorge Taugua coming in for the injured Jayden Myers on the wing. 

Despite that, the Bulls couldn't do anything to prevent the visitors from going ahead. 

Calum Gahan ghosted through the Bulls defence from his own half, and he set up Ruebenn Rennie to break clear and go over under the posts for a converted try. 6-0 to the French outfit.

The visitors looked to apply further pressure on the Bradford defence after going in front, and a number of refereeing decisions began to sway in their favour.

The next one, after Bradford were penalised for being offside, resulted in Toulouse going 8-0 ahead with the visitors opting for the two points on this occasion

As often this season, the Bulls showed a great deal of defensive resilience to withstand further pressure and it ensured they had a strong platform to work their way back into the contest; and they did just that.

On the 24th minute, Jordan Lilley picked up the ball on the sixth phase of play, before clipping through a delicate grubber kick to the prolific Kieran Gill.

Gill, attempting to judge the correct bounce of the ball, managed to juggle it into his hands to touch down for the try which Lilley converted. 

Kieran Gill did brilliantly to hold on to the ball for his first try (Image: Tom Pearson)

Shortly after reducing the deficit, the hosts broke expertly through Jorge Taufua and Joe Arundel, with the latter laying off Zac Fulton to race clear for his 2nd try in Bradford colours. Lilley converted to put Eamon O’Carroll’s side 10-8 ahead.

Zac Fulton's effort was his second in Bradford colours (Image: Tom Pearson)

There was still more drama to come before the half-time hooter.

Firstly, it was the visitors’ turn to be penalised For being offside and Lilley opted for the two points to send Bulls 12-8 in front. 

And then Toulouse’s Robin Brochon saw yellow after hitting Aidan McGowan with an extremely high challenge, a tackle that had left the Bulls man in some discomfort.

The hosts couldn't capitalise on their man advantage, however, with their best chance to do so coming through Taufua.

The ball was worked right, where the powerful winger was eagerly waiting to race clear, but he dropped the ball just as the space began to open up.

With Toulouse back to full strength, Bradford pounced and Gill was over for his 2nd try of the afternoon. 

Chester Butler edged the ball left to Bulls’ scoring talisman, and he made no mistake in putting the ball down. Lilley added the conversion to put the hosts 18-8 ahead.

Kieran Gill's second try effectively put the game to bed for the hosts (Image: Tom Pearson)

The French side were in no mood to let the hosts run away with the victory, as Paul Ulberg raced clear after some fine interplay between the visitors’ forward line and sent the speedy winger away.

He bounced off McGowan and touched down in the corner for an unconverted try. 18-12 to the Bulls.

O’Carroll’s men continued to defend valiantly, with John Davies the orchestrator.

With the clock ticking down, up stepped Lilley to clip a drop goal straight over the posts, despite the fierce Odsal wind’s attempts to pull the ball short.

Jordan Lilley watches his drop-goal effort fly over the posts (Image: Tom Pearson)

Bulls held on for another memorable win, which signalled another monumental step in the right direction for O’Carroll and his side.

Up next for Bradford is a trip to York Knights next Sunday.