Bulls stage comeback to beat London

by NRL

Michael Platt crossed for four tries as Bradford Bulls came from behind to stun London Broncos.

Platt claimed a double in either half as the Bulls erased an early 16-0 deficit to claim a deserved triumph.

The Broncos welcomed new signing Scott Wheeldon straight onto their replacements bench, but retained the same starting 13 who laboured to victory at Batley Bulldogs last weekend.

For the Bulls, Elliot Kear returned at full-back after recovering from a broken hand.

While the hosts had just two wins to their name at home this campaign, Bradford had notched four wins on their travels and came to the capital in confident mood.

But they were stung as the Londoners took the lead inside three minutes, Matt Cook bursting through two tackles to tee up full-back Michael Robertson to speed home.

The hosts doubled their lead minutes later, Cook himself rumbling over after Michael Witt had made an earlier break.

The Broncos really had their tails up, with the Bulls looking sluggish in attack and defence.

Things got even better for the Londoners after 10 minutes, Michael Channing diving over after Witt created the space.

Bradford, with former London stars Karl Pryce and Luke Gale in their ranks, needed inspiration and they got it on 18 minutes when the pair combined for the Bulls' first score, Pryce claiming Gale's kick to touch down.

Suddenly it was a much more even contest, with the next score looking as though it could be crucial.

It was the visitors who got it, Platt muscling over despite three would-be tacklers to reduce the deficit to one score.

The game swung to and fro after that, with both sides adding a further try before the interval.

Witt struck first for the home side after a break from Chris Bailey, but that was quickly cancelled out by Platt's second, as he showed great strength to wrestle his way over in the corner.

Moments after the restart the visitors hauled themselves level, Platt claiming his hat-trick when he squeezed over after a flowing move.

It really was anybody's game now, with Bradford asking most of the questions.

Defences had tightened after the half-time talks, and the first 15 minutes of the second half passed without any further scoring.

The Bulls really had the Broncos on the rack, though, with the Londoners twice coughing up possession close to their own line.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead when Gale burst through a gap, only for Robertson to produce a stunning last-ditch tackle to save the day.

In fact it was only strong defence that was keeping London in it, but Bradford finally took the lead for the first time on 62 minutes, Platt claiming his fourth with another similar score, struggling over the line after the ball was shipped along the backs.

The Bulls had London where they wanted them, and they boosted their lead by a further two points when Gale booted a penalty with 10 minutes remaining.

Gale then added a late drop goal to seal the two points.

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