WHITEHAVEN 22 BRADFORD BULLS 30

HISTORY remained intact as the Bulls negotiated their latest trip to Cumbria without too many scares.

It’s 50 years since they were last beaten at the Recreation Ground – and this 30-22 victory was their 17th in a row against Whitehaven in that time.

The previous visit in League One in 2018 needed a late try to soothe the nerves. After getting to grips with a keen Haven team, there were no such nail-biting moments as the Bulls chalked up their third Championship win on the bounce.

Having fallen behind early, the Bulls hit back with tries from Steve Crossley, Joe Brown and Brandon Pickersgill to lead 18-6 at the beak.

Further scores from the excellent Ebon Scurr and Crossley again ensured a happy trip on the winding journey back home – although the two late tries from Haven, while not altering the overall outcome, will niggle.

Whitehaven had already beaten Dewsbury and Newcastle on home turf and started in confident fashion. The Bulls’ first foray into opposing territory ended with an obstruction call as Ross Oakes looked to cross.

Another penalty advanced Haven over halfway – and the hosts took full advantage with the first try on 12 minutes as Andrew Bulman finished extravagantly in the corner after Lachlan Walmsley created the opening.

It was greeted with a loud cheer about 40 seconds later by the fans who had paid to watch the action on a big screen in a marquee behind the ground – the delay in the TV picture meant they were celebrating as the conversion was being attempted.

But Bulman was the guilty party as the Bulls soon hit back, spilling Danny Brough’s high kick in the sun.

A high shot put Haven further under pressure and Crossley restored order, forcing a missed tackle with a big dummy to stroll in under the post

The Bulls then took a grip on things with a second try three minutes later as a slick attacking move ended with Brown scoring on the edge.

It was his fourth of the season - that monkey is well and truly off the winger’s back.

Whitehaven forced the first goalline drop-out but Tom Wilkinson took his eye off the ball and dropped a pass 10 metres away.

The Bulls demonstrated that ruthless finishing touch with a third try on the half hour, Jordan Lilley setting up Pickersgill’s well-timed run to find a gap as Haven’s defence were caught in two minds.

Whitehaven survived further danger when Brad England was held on the line on the last tackle after a couple of barnstorming carries from Eban Scurr, before trimming the lead by two with a penalty right on the hooter.

The home side then got a real spark to start the second half with a well-worked second try.

Full back Lachlan Walmsley took out the right side of the Bulls defence with a pinpoint pass for Jessie Joe Parker to rampage to the line.

As a belated chant of “Haven, Haven” sounded from the tent, Walmsley’s conversion rattled back off the post.

That early blow prevented any complacency sneaking in for the Bulls and Walmsley had Haven knocking on the door once more before a knock-on prevented another score on the left wing.

Scurr had made a big impact coming off the bench and he got the try his performance deserved to give the Bulls some breathing space, barging over from a couple of metres out.

Whitehaven refused to go away, though, and were given a man advantage when Levi N’zoungou was sinbinned for a hit on Liam Cooper in front of the posts. But aggressive defence forced an immediate turnover – which the Bulls celebrated enthusiastically.

The 12 men in white then took over and after Ross Oakes was held on the line, Crossley crashed in for his second try of the afternoon after Walmsley was bamboozled by a wicked bounce from Jordan Lilley’s dink through.

But the Bulls suffered a blow when Levi N’zoungou had to be helped from the pitch with a knee injury. Scurr also hobbled off late on and Brad England was also struggling.

Walmsley had been an influential attacking figure for Haven and he set up Jason Mossop to duck in for a late score.

And Whitehaven defiance continued from the last play of the game when Aiden Roden converted Parker's kick over the top as the hooter sounded.

WHITEHAVEN: Walmsley; Bulman, Taylor, Parker, Mossop; Dixon, Williams; Dawson, Roden, Walker, Holliday, Gillam, Wilkinson. Interchange: Cooper, Newton, Michael, Olstrom.

BULLS: Pickersgill; Brown, Evans, Oakes, Foggin-Johnston; Brough, Lilley; Nzoungou, Doyle, Crossley, England, Murphy, Evans. Interchange: Walker, Scurr, Fleming, Rooks.

BULLS MAN OF MATCH: Ebon Scurr