Thunder pay the price for poor first half against rampant Bulls
NEWCASTLE Thunder’s wait for a first win over Bradford Bulls continues following a 36-20 loss in the Betfred Championship.
The Tynesiders were left to count the cost of a disjointed first half where four converted tries were conceded without reply as a clinical Bradford took the opportunities presented to them.
A second-half response was mustered by Eamon O’carroll’s side with four tries providing balance to the score line - but the hosts were able to use the cushion of a comfortable lead to see out the game.
Thunder were a converted try down after just two minutes as Bradford punished the error of a fifth tackle kick going out on the full.
Beginning their first set on halfway, the Bulls made quick inroads towards Newcastle’s line before a neat kick through at the end of the set was gathered by former Thunder man Kieran Gill and dotted down for the try.
The Bulls extend their advantage 13 minutes in through Tommy Doyle.
Gill’s second try of the game made it 18-0 approaching the half hour.
A mass brawl six minutes from the break saw Thunder lose Jake Shorrocks and Bradford Tom Holroyd to a red card before the hosts again crossed the whitewash after riding out a sustained period of pressure from Newcastle.
Thunder were 30-0 down 13 minutes into the second period as Declan Patton barged off an attempted tackle close to the line for Bradford’ fifth converted score.
Lewis Peachey got Thunder off the mark with two penalties, immediately backed up as winger Jack Johnson claimed the first of three tries after returning from a month-long injury lay-off - Patton rounding off the Bulls’ scoring.