KEAR WE GO
Bulls’ John backs Wolves for cup
TRAILING: O’Sullivan RONNIE O’SULLIVAN faces a real battle this morning to keep alive his bid for a sixth world title at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Rocket trails dangerous qualifier Stephen Maguire 5-3 in their World Championship first-round clash.
O’Sullivan lost the first four frames but closed to 4-3 with two century breaks.
However, world No.18 Maguire pinched the last frame of the session.
O’Sullivan, 42, has a convincing 18-4
JOHN KEAR tipped Wolves for success after seeing them rip his Bulls apart in this Fifth Round Challenge Cup tie.
But the Bradford boss (below) insists there is plenty to suggest that his side can become one of the game’s big hitters again.
He said: “It is strange when they put 54 points on us but I have come away feeling heart-warmed.
“It makes you feel inspired to grow this team up once again into a Super League team.”
The one-time great club are now a third-tier side following on from a decade of mismanagement, but had about 2,000 fans watching this knockout tie.
Their dreams of an upset were always slim but Kear admits it is because Warrington have so much star quality about them.
He added: “When I was doing our preview I knew I could frighten our lads to death with some of the clips, so you have to temper it.
“They look like they are going to be a very good team as the season goes on. They’re the real deal, no doubt about it.”
Warrington came into the tie having won their last six Super League games.
But Bradford were not in the mood to bow down and show them too much respect.
Bulls took the game by the scruff of the neck and did everything but score in a promising opening 10-minute spell.
But it was like tweaking the tiger’s tail because back came Warrington in ruthless fashion.
Skipper Chris Hill led from the front and powered his way over. Twelve minutes later Wolves had racked up a 26-0 lead.
If there had been any doubts about the JULIE STOTT Warrington 54 Bradford 6
gulf in class they were blown away in that devastating spell.
Bryson Goodwin scored the first of his hat-trick, Ben Currie the first of his double and Josh Charnley got his four-try haul under way.
Charnley added a second before half-time to make it 30-0 and the Bulls looked to be on a hiding to nothing.
But Kear said: “There was nobody in the changing room feeling sorry for themselves.
“That is when it heartens you. They had smacked our backsides but we were ready to go out and give it a go.
“The endeavour and commitment to themselves and each other was there for all to see.”
Charnley kept the scoreboard ticking over with two more tries early in the second half with Goodwin then piling on more misery.
But Bradford refused to let their heads go down and stand-off Joe Keyes grabbed a deserved try with four minutes to go. Wolves coach Steve Price said: “All credit to Bradford, they are a well-coached team and had a big crowd.
“These games can be quite awkward but it’s testament to the guys that they stuck to the game plan.
“I am proud of them, it was a professional display so I am very happy.”
DANNY CRAVEN grabbed four tries in ★
Widnes’ huge 90-0 Challenge Cup Fifth Round win over Coventry.
Winger Patrick Ah Van and full-back Rhys Hanbury also romped in for hat-tricks to put the Vikings in the hat for Wednesday’s Sixth Round draw.