A SECOND half collapse saw Bradford Bulls fall to a third consecutive defeat at Barrow Raiders this afternoon, with the hosts running out 46-12 winners despite being 6-4 down at the break.

Following defeats at home to Batley Bulldogs and then away at Halifax Panthers in the Challenge Cup fifth round, it was imperative that Mark Dunning’s men got back on track ahead of a favourable run of league fixtures, but it wasn’t to be the case.

Barrow themselves were in need of points after earning only three in their opening nine fixtures; a total that saw them perched above the foot of the Betfred Championship table prior to kick-off. That being said, they blew away a sorry Bradford Bulls side in the second half to claim a valuable victory.

Flanagan Snr, Jordan Baldwinson and AJ Wallace all returned to the fray for the visitors to give Dunning a much-needed boost to a side that is continuously looking threadbare.

Bulls would soon have their first points on the board after Dec Patton clipped a penalty over the posts following the referee’s decision to penalise a Barrow man for a high tackle on Flanagan.

However, seven minutes later (12) Luis Roberts was sent to the sinbin for the visitors after an incident which occurred following a kick and chase in the in-goal area, and Barrow were well in the mood to punish Dunning’s side.

After creating an overload on the left flank, Luke Broadbent powered his way over for an unconverted try to send the hosts into a 4-2 lead.

With Roberts restored to the field following his ten-minute spell on the touchline, the Bulls came on strong and would be soon back in front after some brilliant work by magic man Jordan Lilley. Patton found Bradford’s number seven in space, and he was able to play a delightful looping pass to Roberts who gratefully raced clear to put the ball down in the corner for the visitors. Patton’s conversion attempts out wide sailed past the post, leaving the scores at 6-4 to Bradford.

At the other end Dunning’s side got lucky after Roberts misjudged a wicked bounce, but fortunately for the Bulls winger the ball trickled out of play.

In one final twist before the break, Walker looked to have broken clear, but his offload was collected by one of Barrow’s hardworking defensive pack. Scurr then valiantly stopped him to put a halt on a Barrow breakaway.  One more penalty was awarded to the visitors and Patton brought out the kicking tee from halfway, but his effort fell short to leave the scores at 6-4 in favour of the visitors at the break.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw Dunning’s side collapse – conceding three tries in that period – with two of them coming inside ten minutes of the restart. Firstly, Cresswell pounced to collect a loose ball following a breakaway on the left flank and Shaw converted to restore the home side’s lead.

The same combination combined to devastating effect once again as Barrow broke on the left edge and Cresswell was on hand to go over once again. Bradford’s shoddy start to the second half was made worse when Broadbent was found in acres of space on the left wing to go over with ease.

There was a lifeline for the Bulls when Jack Walker ran on to a delicious Patton reverse pass to score a converted try but their reprieve didn’t last long.

From the restart Jarrod Sammut collected his own kick before a static Bradford backline could get there. Switching the ball to the right, Corkill was waiting in his wings to power his way over in the corner before Shaw converted.

Once more, Barrow worked their way towards the left flank to go over in the corner for another second half try to compile more misery onto Dunning’s side.

With six minutes remaining of a fairly torrid afternoon for the visitors, Cresswell secured his hat-trick after darting under the posts, but that wasn’t it. On minute 78 the hosts breezed through Bulls’ defence to add yet another score to round off a miserable second half for the Odsal side.

Bradford return home next Sunday with a fixture against Swinton Lions awaiting.