JOHN Kear admitted there were some harsh words given to his Bulls side in the dressing room at half-time against Swinton Lions, but was impressed with their response.

Bulls played their first away match of the Betfred Championship season at Heywood Road, home to bottom-of-the-table Swinton Lions yesterday.

Kear was pleased his side came through with the win in the end, which takes his side into fourth with two victories in two.

But it could have been a whole different story with the Bulls only holding a narrow 14-12 lead at half-time, and the Lions having controlled much of the first period.

This despite the Bulls scoring a try within five minutes.

Kear said: “In a strange way, the worst thing that happened to us was that we scored so early on.

“It seems as if our players relaxed and got comfortable, while Swinton were edgy, and they were hungry, and we were comfortable and that’s why it was such a toil in that first half.”

Kear admitted there were some stern words in the first half

He added: “I was very disappointed with the first 30 to 35 minutes, really disappointed in all honesty, and I thought Swinton were the better team at that point.

“But we have had the character and the skill and the personnel to redeem things in the second half.”

The coach said he was particularly impressed with Elliot Minchella’s performance when he was moved into the middle and admitted it helped turn the game.

Swinton eventually capitulated, losing 31-12, but the Bulls boss was impressed with the opposition and outlined how tough the league is.

Kear said: “In the Championship, it’s not like League One, where you can be comfortable for the last 30 or 40 minutes of the game knowing that you’ve won it and just play some fancy football.

“What you’ve got to do in the Championship is work really hard before teams break and it was only in the last five or 10 minutes that you felt that the game was won.

“So, it’s a good lesson for us and it’s a lesson we’re having to learn as we’re going up the leagues.

“It’s been really tough, but really rewarding because we’ve come away with the points and also, we’ve got lots to work upon next week.”