THE result against Toulouse on Saturday evening, has set tongues wagging in the rugby league world.

Recent results, having defeated Halifax and Widnes and now the highly fancied Toulouse at their place, highlights just how talented our playing group is.

I did suggest it would be a blockbuster, and for the 800 odd fans who made the journey, in what was probably the hottest conditions we’ve had to endure, they certainly got their money’s worth.

The mere fact that the bookies had priced the Bulls at a +14 points start tells you how the punters hadn’t done their homework, nor the market makers.

Whilst pondering the magnitude of the result, my dear wife Danielle, who had made the trek to the South of France with me, commented what a long way the Bulls had come since she was last at Stade Ernest-Argelès.

I have to confess, I had tried to block out my previous memory of the Bulls playing there, being on the end of a 60-4 loss in 2017.

That was a mild April afternoon, but nothing compared to the energy sapping heat of last weekend, where the mercury reached an unbelievable 40 degrees just prior to kick off.

Watching the Bulls fight for every scrap, inch, and point was uplifting for the fans, the players and the coaching staff.

I want to personally thank the supporters on behalf of the club for staying strong and maintaining their belief in what JK and the players are trying to achieve.

I know many of those fans that travelled were nervous at what the outcome might be.

But, from the point the team and coaching staff boarded the plane to begin their trek to France, they were clearly focussed on winning, and defeating a genuine favourite for promotion this year.

What a stunning hard fought win it was as well.

It felt like it was played on a knife edge, and of course in the end it required 17 herculean efforts in extreme conditions to turn the French team over.

Let’s not forget the coaching and support team, who were doing everything they could to hydrate, keep cool, and manage these players in what can only be considered extremely testing conditions.

I have to applaud the match commissioner who decided the safest way forward was to play the game in four quarters, combined with plenty of opportunities for hydration breaks.

I wasn’t sure to be honest how that would pan out, but in the end we got the result we were looking for.

Well done and congratulations – great work JK and the team.

We pulled through with no additions to the casualty ward, which is fantastic given the speed, intensity, and conditions in which the game was played.

The mood amongst the players is one of genuine excitement and belief that together they can make the Championship Playoffs.

A look at the points tables with seven rounds remaining sees five teams separated by only four points, all vying for the four playoff positions.

York City are now 2nd with 28 points, with Toulouse, Featherstone and Leigh are all on 26, while the Bulls sit in 6th on 24.

When you look at our remaining seven games (Swinton (H), York City (A), Toronto (H), Barrow (A), Dewsbury (A), Sheffield (H), Rochdale (A)), it's undoubtedly a tough set of fixtures.

Each team in playoff contention knows the playoff race, to determine the winners and the grinners, will be a photo finish.

It will absolutely come down to the last round and, dare I say it, will probably come down to the last minutes or even seconds of potentially four games in round 27.

Importantly, the challenge right now is to take each fixture one at a time and keep your immediate match as the absolute focus.

So for the Bulls, what matters right now is defeating Swinton Lions on Sunday.

Any slip up may well be the difference between beach volley ball by the sea, or a ticket to the Championship playoffs come September.

That will take consistency, focus, and whatever JK decides needs to be pulled out of his little black book.

Swinton are a club going places, and you under-estimate them at your own peril.

Under the guidance of Chairman Andy Mazey and his board, great progress has been made in rebuilding their future prospects.

The fact that they have beaten Batley, Toulouse, and Barrow - to name just three victories - speaks volumes for their coach and playing group, who will undoubtedly have their Super League contingent from the Wigan Warriors at hand.

Coach Stuart Littler will present a team genuinely trying to halt our winning ways – and we must be prepared for everything they throw at the Bulls.

Ignore the bookmaker’s odds installing us as favourites, because this match will be much closer than it appears on paper.

Speaking of close, in Super League the London Broncos and Hull KR sit tied in last place as the relegation battle hits full noise.

This week - round 22 - sees Hull FC face London Broncos on Thursday night, and Leeds Rhinos come up against Hull KR in a big four-point game on Friday evening.

I think these games will be close, intense affairs as players and coaching staff start to look at who gets to stand on the dreaded relegation trapdoor.

I wouldn’t want to be held to these predictions but it wouldn’t surprise me to see London and Leeds both get the chocolates this round.

It could indeed be a Hull of a weekend.

Charge in and show your support for your Bulls team as we take on the Swinton Lions at Odsal Stadium.

Kick off is Sunday, 3pm.

Thank you for your support, JK and the boys will be doing their absolute best and putting it all on the line.

Tickets available in the Club shop or online at: bradfordbulls.co.uk/tickets

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