Potter touched by emotional victory

Correspondent

Brett Kearney scored four tries and former Bulls coach Mick Potter was given a guard of honour on an emotional day at Odsal.

Potter, who afterwards described the fat lady as “not singing yet, but probably warming up” received a standing ovation after steering the side on a voluntary basis following his redundancy on Monday.

Super League’s crisis club are less than 48 hours from liquidation, with administrator Brendan Guilfoyle set to pull the plug on Tuesday should no buyer be found by then.

Potter said: “It was touching. I’m not a guy that breaks out in tears very quickly, but I reckon I came close at one stage.

“A big part of the club is the fans, and you can see why Bradford has to be in Super League and has to continue. You just don’t get that at too many other places.”

Broncos coach Rob Powell, who had to reshuffle his side after Craig Gower failed a fitness test on an ankle problem just before kick off, paid tribute to Bradford’s spirit and determination.

Powell said: “We need to give Bradford some credit. Through the turbulence and turmoil they’ve gone through this week, to play with that much enthusiasm, it’s a credit to that group of people. It wasn’t an easy ask for them to do that.”

Manase Manuokafoa, Kearney and Luke Gale – who was outstanding throughout – all scored inside the opening quarter to give Bradford a lead they never looked like losing.

Kieran Dixon clawed a try back for the Broncos, but the Londoners were hopelessly outclassed throughout the entire 80 minutes.

Elliott Whitehead touched down just before the half hour, with Michael Platt’s score making it 26-4 at half time.

London boss Powell probably hoped for a change of fortune at half time, but it wasn’t to be.

Kearney claimed his second score within two minutes of the restart, and completed his hat-trick just before the hour.

Dixon had registered his own brace by then, but the Broncos offered very little in attack – or defence.

Ben Jeffries and Platt combined to send Kearney racing under the posts for his third, before the Aussie full back was on hand to finish Jamie Langley’s rampaging run to grab his fourth try.

Will Lovell got a late consolation for the visitors, but Michael Witt failed to convert all three of London’s tries.