Hood’s anticipated final home game ends in Bulls defeat
Peter Hood’s final home game as chairman of Bradford Bulls ended in defeat as Huddersfield Giants won 20-6 at Odsal Stadium.
Hood wrote in the match day programme that he anticipated this to be his last home game in charge of the Bulls, as Chris Caisley and a handful of the club’s shareholders with a combined percentage of over 50 per cent, are likely to vote out Hood and Andrew Bennett out of office next month.
Despite Bradford’s well documented problems off the field, Mick Potter’s side kept within reach of the league leaders until Danny Brough’s final try of the game.
Daniel Addy put the first points on the score bard with a simple penalty in front of the posts after Joe Wardle grappled tackled Bryn Hargreaves.
However Huddersfield took the lead eight minutes late with a superb kicking try from Jermaine McGilvary. Danny Brough’s kick after Huddersfield made a break found McGilvary in open space on the right hand side.
Bradford replied when Shaun Ainscough, wrapped by a swarm for Huddersfield defenders, was able to let the ball go free for Michael Platt to score in the corner.
Bradford looked to be going into half time ahead, but they let their concentration slip and allow Luke George to run unopposed under the posts a minute before the break.
Both teams were welcomed out onto the Odsal pitch in monsoon conditions, and when Huddersfield were awarded a penalty after three minutes of the second half Danny Brough opted to take a kick at goal rather than mount an attack at the Bulls’ try line.
Nine minutes into the half Huddersfield were gifted two consecutive sets of six on Bradford’s line. The Giants couldn’t take advantage of their field possession with ball in hand, but were soon awarded a penalty 40 metres from the line. Brough again opted to take the two points.
The game boiled over with both sets of players trading punches mid way though the second half. Luke O’Donnell was found guilty of sparking the incident and sent to cool off for ten minutes by referee Thierry Alibert.
Danny brough, influential with the boot as well as delegating his team around the field, ended any hopes of a Bradford revival with a try next to the posts.
Bradford scores: Tries – Platt. Goals – Addy 1/2
Huddersfield scores: Tries – McGilvary, George. Goals –Brough 3/4
Bradford: Pryce; Purtell, Platt, Lulia, Ainscough; Addy, Jeffries; Manuokafoa, Diskin, Hargreaves; Elima, Whitehead, Langley. Subs: Bateman, Burgess, Olbison, Kopczak.
Huddersfield: Murphy; McGilvary, Cudjoe, Wardle, George; Brough, Grix; Crabtree, Robinson, Mason; Lawrence, O’Donnell, Brown. Subs: Faiumu, Ferguson, Patrick, Chan.
Huddersfield sin bin: O’Donnell (24)
Half time: 6-10
Attendance: 9,182
Referee: Thierry Alibert
Other Super League scores:
Hull FC 12-56 Wigan
Hull KR 44-16 London
Warrington 54-6 Castleford