A POOR day for Bradford Bulls as they crashed to a 52-20 defeat at Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Championship.

Here are T&A sports reporter Brad Deas' ratings of the performance.

Man of the match:

George Flanagan. Tough to pick somebody out really, given the scoreline. The Bulls didn’t lack effort and did create a host of opportunities, with others performing relatively well, but it was Flanagan who stood out. This was a game built for him – penalties galore, big challenges and something to fight for. He kept on going even when the game had gone and got himself a try. Like the theme of the tie though, he followed that up with a silly penalty, which Leigh bagged a try from themselves.

Tactics:

Jake Webster dropped out of the 19 late on due to illness, with Ashley Gibson the benefactor, and his presence and experienced head was missed. Callum Bustin also missed the game with Steve Crossley making his return from illness. Connor Farrell was absent for the first time in the league this season. Matty Garside came in, with Jon Magrin making the bench. Colton Roche was also missing with illness.

Moan of the match:

Errors and an inability to finish. The penalty count says a lot about the game – so many silly mistakes in the tackle and dissent – particularly from Leigh – leading to the ref penalising both sides. But it was Bulls lack of a clinical edge that was most detrimental. Kirk, Peltier and Foggin-Johnston let the ball loose in the Leigh goal-line area, meaning three missed tries which could have made all the difference.

Moment of the match:

Matty Wildie’s try. With the Bulls sitting 10 points adrift in the game, having taken an early lead beforehand and a Liam Kirk chance going begging, the visitors needed something to spark them into life. Step forward Ethan Ryan and Wildie. Ryan collected a long punt forward and managed to break the Leigh line from deep. He charged on a good 50 or so metres before squaring the ball to Wildie as the final defender approached. Wildie then planted under the posts to take Bulls within four.

Player ratings:

BULLS: Ryan 7, Grant 5, Gibson 7, Oakes 6, Foggin-Johnston 4, Lilley 5, Wildie 7, Crossley 6, Hallas 5, Kirk 7, Storton 7, Garside 6, Minchella 6.

Interchanges: Peltier 6, Flanagan 7, Wood 5, Magrin 5.

LEIGH: McNally 8, Costello 8, I.Thornley 8, Forsyth 8, Marsh 7, Ridyard 9, Woods 8, Douglas 7, Higham 7, Brooks 7, Batchelor 7, A Thornley 8, Cator 8.

Interchanges: Hood 7, Thompson 7, Hock 7, Adamson 7

Game Guide:

Half-time: 22-8

Referee: Ben Thaler

Attendance: 4,180

Bulls – Tries: Wildie, Flanagan, Storton.

Bulls – Goals: Conversions: Lilley 3/3; Penalty Goals: Lilley 1/1

Leigh – Tries: I Thornley (2), Costello, McNally (2), A.Thornley, Forsyth (2).

Leigh – Goals: Conversions: Ridyard 7/8; Penalty Goals: Ridyard 3/4

Penalties awarded: Bulls 12, Leigh 10.

Goal-line drop-outs: Bulls 1, Leigh 3.