BRADFORD Bulls missed out on the Wheelchair Rugby League Championship title after losing a thrilling final 44-38 to Hull FC.

The match at Gillingham’s Medway Park was part of a double header which saw Halifax upset favourites Leeds 50-42 to win Super League’s Grand Final.

Both Hull and Bulls came into the Championship showpiece unbeaten in the league after avoiding each other during the regular season – and both sides were resolutely determined to keep their 100 per cent records intact.

Hull established an early lead through Tristan Norfolk, but it was Bradford who finished the half looking fitter, stronger and 28-20 to the good, thanks to some enterprising attacking play and a superb breakaway effort on the stroke of half time by George Herd.

In the second half Hull were again first out of the blocks – and once more it was player-of-the-match Norfolk who opened the scoring.

There was little to separate the two sides until five minutes from time when Hull player-coach Mike Swainger scored a try out of nothing to give his side a 12-point advantage.

Bradford’s own player-of-the-match, Kieron Johnson, scored a last-minute solo but unfortunately for the Bulls there was no time to restart the game following the successful conversion.

Tristan Norfolk said: “We started brilliantly but then went into our shell a bit and were pulled apart by Kieron Johnson. At half-time we had a chat, talked through our plans and stopped him in his tracks.”

Martin Coyd OBE, Wheelchair RL Chairman, added: “This is a fantastic venue – the home of England Wheelchair RL – and it has given our players the best possible opportunity to showcase our wonderful sport.

"We have witnessed some awesome speed, aggression, skill, courage and endurance, and loads of passion – Rugby League at its very best.

“The players, coaches, volunteers and supporters of all our clubs put in a huge effort to make Wheelchair Rugby League work. Without them we wouldn’t have a game. It was also a big day for the match officials, a great team who travel the length and breadth of the country to help us deliver our matches and events.”

Bradford Bulls: Jack Hall; James Hall; George Herd; Keiron Johnson; Rhett Johnson; Richard Johnson; James Parkin; Sam Stebbings; Stewart Walker.