Bulls Edge Thriller

Correspondent

The Bulls went in at the interval holding an 18-6 lead after a brace of tries from Marcus St Hilaire against his former club along with a further touch down from Michael Withers; Raleigh scoring for the home side.

But the Giants hit back in the second half with tries coming from Martin Aspinwall, Wayne McDonald, Steven Wild and Stuart Donlan to lead 30-24 with just eight minutes left on the clock.

However Bradford came back with tries from Marcus Bai, Shontayne Hape and Sam Burgess to decide the game in the Bulls’ favour.

Coach Steve McNamara admitted that he was shocked that his side fell behind, but paid tribute to the effort from Huddersfield.

"At 30-24 to Huddersfield I could not believe how we could have dominated the game so much and yet be behind” he said.

"The players have been low on confidence recently and some of them have been criticised, but they have stuck to the task and got us out of a hole today.

"We have been taught a few lessons about taking your foot off the gas.

"Huddersfield are a good side and if you make mistakes as we did you will get punished, however, my players are coming back to form just in time for the play-offs."

Giants boss Jon Sharp reflected on a great season for his side and expressed his hope that the team can improve still further next season.

"It has been a fantastic season for us and this team has fronted up in every game” he said.

"We are the only club in the league to have put out a full strength team in every game but we have played the last ten games with only eighteen fit players. We certainly have something to build on for next season.

"Some of the players have been very tired and carrying injuries but all credit to them. They have turned out and stuck to the job and to the game plan."