Bradford Bulls 18-20 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights continued their winning run in the Betfred Championship with a tense 20-18 win over Bradford Bulls at Bartercard Odsal Stadium.

In a tight game which saw the lead change hands four times, a late try from Scott Galeano clinched the points for Mark Applegarth’s team.

Just two points separated the teams at half time, before a strong start to the second half got Bradford back in the game.

In the end, it was Galeano’s effort that proved crucial as the Knights moved up to third in the table.

York enjoyed the better of the opening stages, and got the first try of the game after just five minutes. Kieran Buchanan shrugged off the defence to feed Connor Bailey, only for the forward to be held short. On the next play, the Knights moved the ball out to the left, and Galeano had space to touch down at the corner for a converted try.

Direct running then set Bradford up 10 metres out, and they gained another set with a penalty awarded in front of the posts. However a knock on as Mitch Souter tried to drive towards the line ended the threat.

After Bailey missed a chance for York from a Harris pass, Bradford got themselves back up field and another penalty led to the first real test of the Knights’ defence. Back to back sets and then a drop out saw Bradford launch wave after wave of attack, but more strong defence forced a handover right in front of the York posts.

Joe Brown thought he’d extended the Knights’ lead soon after, only for the touch judge to raise his flag as Brown went for the corner.

The end to end nature of the game continued, and as the Knights went through a patch of errors, Bradford built pressure in the York 10 metre area. On the last of the set, Guy Armitage took a bullet of a pass to cross at the corner. Lilley’s conversion hit the post.

The tight nature of the half continued until the half time hooter, with York holding a two point advantage.

A Joe Keyes 40/20 got the second half underway but Bradford spurned their chance as they swiftly moved the ball right, and Jayden Okunbor couldn’t control the final pass.

The Bulls’ early pressure eventually told, when Armitage crossed for a second try, after a break from Tom Holmes. Lilley’s conversion put Bradford ahead for the first time.

The Bulls were gaining momentum, and making easy metres up field. When York were caught offside in front of their own posts, Lilley slotted over a penalty to put six points between the teams.

As York worked their way back into the Bradford half, a high Harris kick on the last gave them another set on the Bradford line. Ata Hingano capitalised by burrowing over from acting half. Harris’ conversion hit the posts.

This triggered a spell of momentum from York that saw them retake the lead. Harris put a grubber kick through and as it bounced past the defenders, Toa Mata’afa shot through to touch down for an easy try. Harris added the goal.

The lead changed hands again when Waqa Blake rose highest to take a high kick on the York line to touch down for a converted try to put Bradford back in front by two points, with 12 minutes to go.

A incident was put on report after Blake was left needing treatment after a tackle, but York survived the resulting pressure. As they then moved up field, a high bomb on the last was dropped by Bradford, and York gained possession 15 metres out from the line.

With three minutes on the clock, Bradford repelled the pressure, only for York to regain possession from a knock on. On the next play, York shipped the ball out wide to Galleano, who scored in front of the travelling fans for a two point advantage with two minutes to go.

Connor Bailey was held up as York went for the power play on last of the next set, and with field position in their favour, it was enough to run the clock down and see them take a memorable win,

Bradford: Meadows, Okunbor, Blake, Hurrell, Armitage, Lilley, Keyes, Lawrence, Souter, Bayliss, Fulton, Gee, Hallas

Subs: Holmes, Scurr, Michael, Waine

18th Player: Peposhi

Tries: Armitage (29, 45), Blake (66)

Goals: Lilley (3/4)

York: Mata’afa, Brown, Buchanan, Field, Galeano, Hingano, Harris, Martin, McShane, Fitzsimmons, Dee, Bailey, Thompson

Subs: Cook, Santi, Hudson, Jones-Bishop

18th Player: Ta’ai

Tries: Galeano (5,77), Hingano (56), Mata’afa (59)

Goals: Harris (2/4)

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