Bradford Bulls tell busy Storton to take a break

The teenage second-rower has been a revelation this season for John Kear’s side – and put in a huge display against Toronto.

But after rolling his ankle in that game, the Keighley youngster - who has made 22 appearances this season - is set to be given the weekend off to recover.

Kear said: “It’s a two-week injury as it stands. He could have been pushed to play but I think we’re better to leave it and get him back for the week after.

“We monitor the minutes and Matty’s played far more than I would have expected for someone so young.

“It won’t do him any harm to have a sit with a cigar and put his feet up!

“He was magnificent last week as was Matty Garside. Both second rowers were very good.

“There’s every likelihood Connor Farrell will be available which makes that decision a lot easier to tell Matty to have a break.”

That loss to the league leaders shield winners has left the Bulls with only a remote chance of making the play-offs.

But Kear insists the players can take heart from their role in a “Super League quality” game – and he believes the display topped how they played to beat Leeds in the Challenge Cup.

“We reviewed it in depth and it was a very high standard game of rugby league from both teams,” he added.

“The errors were few and far between and the completion rates were high. There were 70 sets – and that’s a Super League standard.

“I’m even more heartened with what my players turned in for that 80 minutes. Obviously, I was disappointed we didn’t bring home the bacon but I was really pleased with the performance – unfortunately theirs was a little better.

“Toronto are a little bit hard-nosed now. They are no longer the pretty-boy entertainers and I think Brian McDermott has brought that to them.

“You’ve also got Jon Wilkin who can alter play on the hoof. I think those two make a massive difference.

“I honestly believe they are better than Leeds. I feel we played better against Toronto than in the Leeds game.”