Bateman admits St Helens clash is must-win

Bradford second rower John Bateman has admitted that the Bulls must beat St Helens this weekend to kick-start their faltering play-off push.

Bateman, 19, featured as the Bulls slipped to a fifth defeat in six games against Hull KR on Sunday, a result that has seriously threatened Bradford’s top eight place.

He said: “St Helens are a team around us in the table and these are the sort of games we should be winning.

“Against Hull KR we just didn’t do the right things and they capitalised on the mistakes that we made.

“We definitely have to beat Saints this week if we’re going to get anywhere this year.”

Bradford travel to St Helens on Sunday knowing that a defeat could see them slip out of the play-off places.