Amazing that there were just a few 'splashy' patches when you look at that photo above

Back to the game itself, and it would have to be pretty close to our best performance of the season (alongside the Featherstone game) and the perfect retort to the (deserved) criticism after last week. Totally dominant for pretty much all the game, based off a dominant pack performance.

I don't whether Sheffield were just poor today, or we never let them play - or some of both? But, either way, we looked a definite class above. If they are the third best team in the league, then I don't think we need worry about finishing in the top two

The only downside was Mullaney limping off again.

I thought we closed down their options well and made them look ordinary. I have not been that impressed with Ephalami Which is a bit unfair. He is not getting game time. If its fitness then their is a problem, he should be smashing it by now. Some banging tries and the Bulls looked like they were enjoying it as a team at last.

Very pleased with this result and performance. Was looking to see some improvement in defence and we got that today. Especially since their 2nd try resulted from a pass so far forward it was ridiculous, but that's the standard of officiating at this level unfortunately.

I watched Lauaki quite closely today given some of the criticism he receives. Ball in hand he doesn't seem to make enough ground once he makes contact with the defenders. He did however chased hard in defence and draws in plenty of defenders when used as a dummy runner. Not sure why he is getting so few minutes, he certainly didn't seem impressed when he came off after about 8 mins of the 2nd half.

I'm still hopeful he will find his feet and bring some value to the team but I'm not sure he will live up the 'wrecking ball' hype that he has been saddled with.

I would push Addey to put in extra time with his goal kicking as it would be a big bonus if he could turn into a regular kicker. When Baile and Blythe are fully fit Jimmy may leave Shaw out as his defence isn't great. It will be a tough decision when all are fit.
I thought Henry was very good today and starting to show why he came highly recommended.
Can't wait to see Davis and Lauaki fully fit. We could have a pack capable of taking on those bottom SL teams.

I now don't expect to see us go for another half back. Addey did OK today and the weeks are now passing before we get Seika back - about 5-6 games now? Once he is back we will effectively have Seika, Gaskell, Malloney and Addey available as halves.

Best performance of the season today for me. Sheffield are no mugs and I was expecting this to be a close game. I thought we made them look very ordinary. They really struggled to get out of their half. Seemed to want to drag is into a bitkf a scrap, but unlike the Leigh game I thought we concentrated on playing rugby.


Ferguson was immense (where are his knockers now?) Olbison was also outstanding.

Great game today.

Wasn't at the Fev game so can't compare but that was the best all round performance I've seen this year. I had a suspicion given the weather that Sheffield could keep us pinned in the boggy final twenty under the Coral Stand that always cuts up in wet weather just like Halifax did in the first half of that game, particularly when we were due to be playing out of that end in the second half.

Ferguson and Clough were outstanding. Hard to fault anyone in the pack today, though while I agree that Lauaki draws 'em in on his runs without the ball (I think we scored two in the first half passing behind him) I'm not sure what else he does. I don't want to come across as too critical but some of his side steps in previous games have covered more lateral yardage than his runs with the ball have taken us forward.

That could have been a real banana skin today and I'm feeling uncharacteristically positive.

Cough has been good all year, my man of season so far. We were good today, I'm looking forward to an 80 minute performance, we'll give someone a hell of a tonking, lets hope it's Leigh

With Clough, O'Brien, Ferguson and Pitts in our pack, it is top quality. Add in likes of Olbison and Sidlow who aren't far off the others, and the likes of Mellor who is coming on loads and starting to show some real quality, and our forwards are looking really good.

Not so impressed with Fleming or Lauaki yet, though Crossley will replace one of those when he's back.

Backs looked decent today too, and I thought Adam Henry had his best game in a Bulls shirt.

Well he's been training hard, but I never thought they were [ithat[/i noticeable anyway?

Things are developing nicely. As Lowes said, it's not how you start but more how you finish........... my brother mentioned a few weeks ago that it was a slow burn. We have some very good squad members that will not make the 17. I still think Davies showed enough in the friendlies to have a big part to play but who will he displace.. The starting front row all look capable of playing big minutes. I think we will get stronger in the 2nd half of the season and arrive at the middle eights in prime condition. We have a few good tests at the right time with Eagles and Fax away and Leigh at home. I'm not resigned to coming second, although I am not sure which would be the favourable position. I suspect we will really push on and win the league.

Yes we are developing. The forwards were really good as you have pointed out. Hoping we can be more consistent, game by game. That's the measure I think at this point.

Bit worried about Lee, he was holding his arm and clenching his hand. Give him a rest. Try putting Mullally or Ulugia in there.

We can't really try Muallaly or Ulugia, one has a dodgy hamstring and the other a broken set of fingers,

Oh!! did not realise he had broken his fingers. "Muallany" Duh !

was taken off as a precaution I think Jimmy said. I really don't know then.

Yeah, good comment. It was just what we needed after the Donny match...in fact, the Donny match itself was probably just what we needed get rid of some lethargy and focus minds, so I guess you sometimes have to take a step back before moving forwards again. The trick now is to keep the mental attitude and continue improving - [iwithout regard to the quality of the opposition[/i, so no 'easy weeks' 'cos our opponents are in the bottom four. That though, I appreciate is going to be the difficult bit.

Ok, try them when fit, but suspect Mullaney won't be playing in next few weeks, precaution or not he has just missed 5 with a hamstring and clearly come back abit before he is ready. Feel free to play them though if it makes you feel better

Can we not recall Brook yet? If we can, and Gaskell is struggling, it would seem the perfect solution.

Ashton's view after the game

Looksh totally blank. Wash he pished?

“I think Bradford played the best they have all season today (Sunday),” said Aston, shortly after the full-time hooter – in his post-match press conference.

“It would certainly be very close between Bradford and Leigh, because Leigh are starting to crack.

“Bradford are going this way and Leigh another. At the moment, Leigh are probably a tad in front of them.

“But, by the end of the season, who will get promoted? I think you would probably put your house on it being Bradford.”

“It is interesting because Bradford are hitting form at the right time.

“Lee Gaskell is the best half-back in the competition, without a shadow of a doubt.

“It is credit (to Bradford) that he is still here and that they have kept him.

Dunno about 'starting to crack', but I do know it's pretty impossible to retain top form all year - there are always ups and downs in form over a season.

As for us, well I'm relaxed about our form at this stage. There are no trophies given out mid season and I'm confident we'll be around, and hopefully at our best, when the whips begin to crack..

Maybe he has got his eyes on second place.

Our early season, current, league games are just a means to an end, aren't they? There are marginal differences between the four qualifying places and yes, second seems to be the preferred option [if you get an option.. but you're in the mix if you get into the four and I'm very confident we'll do that.

How we go against the SL teams when we get there is another matter of course. They may well be a bit battered and feeling low due to having a poor season and we may be a bit cheerier due to our success but, at the end of the day, it will take an almighty effort and probably a bit of luck, and then we'll find out who cracks in the effort to get back to SL. At least, we'll then be able to say that every minute really matters...

If you want a laugh check out the thread on the Leigh board about Aston's comments.

The people of that wasteland of the terminally 5h1te are absolutely desparate for outside recognition.

Quite amusing. How dare he venture an opinion (well, that particular one). What could he possibly know about such matters. It's interesting that nobody has made a big deal of it on this forum. It would be quite amusing if they finished behind Sheffield in third.

I can't really see them finishing below the Eagles. Hopefully, from a Bulls' POV, our scratchiest form is now behind us and we're on an upward curve but, ultimately, what Leigh or Sheffield do is for them to worry about, as our own form is the one, and only, thing we have control over.