REPORT: BRADFORD BULLS 13-14 WIDNES VIKINGS

The Vikings made it 5/6 to start the Championship season with a thrilling 14-13 comeback win over Bradford Bulls at Bartercard Odsal Stadium.

Two drop goals from Tom Gilmore late in the day sealed a big win for Allan Coleman’s side, a second win at Odsal this season.

Following a spell of early dominance, the Vikings struck first through Ryan Ince as he crossed in the corner after good link-up play from Tom Gilmore and Jack Owens.

A period of indiscipline allowed Bradford to regain a foothold in the game which they took advantage of, Ben Blackmore diving in at the corner to cut the deficit to two points.

The hosts started the better of the two sides in the second half. Taking the lead through the returning Tom Holmes as he backed up Jordan Lilley’s chip and chase to score.

A Lilley penalty and drop goal saw the Bulls into a 7-point lead with 10 minutes to go.

Joe Lyons kickstarted the fight back for the Vikings as he latched onto Jordan Johnstone’s perfectly weighted kick to score.

Tom Gilmore then knocked over the first of two drop goals to tie the scores at 13-13 with five minutes to go.

He stepped up again just a few minutes later to nail a second drop goal and hand the Vikings a huge 14-13 win over the Bulls.

We return home for our next fixture as we take on Doncaster at the DCBL Stadium, looking to make it 6/7 to start the season.

COACHES COMMENTS

Head Coach Allan Coleman said: “I’m delighted. For 20 minutes we were brilliant to start with, we were controlled and our middles were superb.

“They probably had their best 10 minutes just before half-time. We were disappointed with our discipline and the penalties we gave away, but it was vitally important to stay in that competition, which we did.

“I’ve just got a group who work so hard here and they’re so dedicated to each other. They believe in what I want from this club and that’s to be a team that is really hard to beat.”