Round 23
Harlequins 36 d. Bradford Bulls 24

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Bulls Eye: Bradford v Harlequins
Sat August 2, 2008
Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

In this week's Bulls Eye Bradford coach Steve McNamara looks ahead to Sunday's Super League Round 23 clash at the Twickenham Stoop when the Bulls travel to the capital to face Harlequins.

STEVE McNAMARA
THERE ARE FIVE GAMES LEFT THIS SEASON. WHAT'S THE MOOD IN THE CAMP?
We are very excited. It's a great time of year, especially if you are fighting for something. There is a lot to play for at both the top end and the bottom end of the six and just underneath that. There is a whole host of clubs pushing hard and fighting for that spot so it's definitely a good time.

HAS THE BREAK FOR THE CHALLENGE CUP BEEN BENEFICIAL?
I think it has. There are no two ways about it we would have loved to have been competing in last week's semi finals but we had to deal with the situation and take some positives out of not being in the Challenge Cup and that was the fact that it gave us a change to have a slight break. The players were very good in what they did during the five days they had off and they have come back in very good condition and are looking focused to go.

HARLEQUINS HAVE BEEN A BIT UNPREDICTABLE?
They have but there have been a number of sound reasons for that. Their recent home form would suggest they are not playing well but they have had a lot of players out and I know they have six returning this week and available for selection, which will add to their strength. They beat Leeds at their place a few weeks back, which proves they are a very good side on their day. Plus it's a difficult place to go because it's outside of the normal week to week routine. We really look forward to those trips as it gives us an opportunity to get together as a squad but it is different from the norm.

Quins are a very resilient side who hang in there and they have a good work ethic. They also have some very good players - something that isn't always acknowledged. In Chad Randall they have one of the best dummy half's in the game. You only have to look at his stats to see how well he plays and how influential he is to their side. Henry Paul, Rob Purdham and Scott Hill; I have a lot of time for those sort of players and they have some speed in their ranks and some players who are very quick. They are a good side and they will want to get back on track.

SQUAD
Wayne Godwin and Chris Feather return to the Bulls side at the expense of Matt James and Sam Burgess and there is a call up for Richard Johnson, who is a part time player with the club. He is the Captain of the Reserves and hails from Oldham. Paul Deacon, whose Hamstring strain is not a recurrence of the previous one and not as bad as first thought, will miss the game.

The 19 man Squad is: Wayne Godwin, Craig Kopczak, Terry Newton, James Evans, Dave Halley, Michael Platt, Chris Nero, Paul Sykes, Iestyn Harris, Ben Jeffries, Semi Tadulala, Simon Finnigan, Andy Lynch, Matt Cook, David Solomona, Joe Vagana, Chris Feather, Jamie Langley, Richard Johnson.

MILESTONES
PAUL DEACON has kicked 74 goals from 87 attempts this season for an average of 85.06%.

WAYNE GODWIN needs 8 points for a career total of 300. The Hooker has scored 33 tries and kicked 80 goals in his 158 appearances.

SIMON FINNIGAN needs 8 points for a career total of 200. He has scored 48 tries in his 143 appearances.

News Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

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