St Helens 30-34 Bradford

Bradford produced a superb performance as they overturned St Helens at Knowsley Road.

The Bulls looked to be heading for a second consecutive heavy defeat as Saints ran in five tries in a devastating thirteen period prior to half-time.

But the Bulls produced their on superb spell to score three tries in six minutes in the second half, edging them front, and making them the first side to score more than four tries against Saints in 2009.

Bradford opened the scoring inside three minutes, thanks to a 50/50 call by referee Richard Silverwood given in their favour.

Ben Jeffries looked to have knocked on, but Silverwood waved play on and the Bulls took advantage, Semi Tadulala scoring in the corner.

And Saints were rattled with following some great Bradford pressure, and that paid dividends just six minutes later as Tadulala scored his second try of the game.

Both sides had chances to score, Sam Burgess and Steve Menzies for the Bulls, whilst Maurie Fa’asavalu‘s rampaging run ended in him knocking the ball on for the home side.

But Saints turned the game on its head as they ran in five tries in a devastating 12 minute spell, just short of the half-hour mark.

Ade Gardner finishing off good work from Lee Gilmour after 27 minutes, before Francis Meli added a second four minutes later, managing to ground the ball just before he hit the corner flag, for a super individual effort.

Leon Pryce, who was this week convicted of assault, grabbed a quick third after 33 minutes as the Bulls collapsed.

And Steve McNamara must have been tearing his hair out as Saints ran in their fourth try, Gary Wheeler grabbing his fifth try of the campaign.

But the game was well and truly on its way to being over, Francis Meli getting his second try as the half-time siren sounded, much to the relief of the Bulls.

That proved to be the tonic the Bulls needed, and Craig Kopczak pulled a try back after he powered through a couple of Saints defenders, bringing the score to 26-16.

The resistance didn’t last long though, and Sean Long latched on to a hack forward to dive over.

Sam Burgess gave Bradford hope of providing a late fightback, reaching over after 63 minutes, and the comeback looked to be well and truly on when Michael Worrincy completed a move started by Tadulala and Michael Platt.

And Bradford stunned St Helens with ten minutes remaining as Worrincy grabbed an invaluable second try to give Bradford an infamous victory.

St Helens: 30
T: Ade Gardner (27), Francis Meli (31,39), Leon Pryce (33), Gary Wheeler (36), Sean Long (55)
G: Long (34, 37, 40)

Bradford Bulls: 34

T:Semi Tadulala (2,10), Craig Kopczak (49), Sam Burgess (62), Michael Worrincy (65,69)
G: Paul Sykes (3,50,63,66,70)

Att: 11,039

Ref: R. Silverwood

HT: 26-10