REVITALISED Bradford kept their play-off dreams alive with a fourth successive win – beating Salford 44-18 – that means four clubs will be chasing eighth place in the final round of matches in the engage Super League next weekend.
A month ago the Bulls looked certain to miss out on the play-offs for the first time. But their late-season revival – combined with lapses by Warrington, Catalans Dragons and Harlequins – has breathed new life into their season.
Catalans remain in pole position. But defeat at St Helens next Friday would open the door for Bradford, Warrington or Harlequins, who were beaten 48-0 at home by Castleford, in a tense finish to the season.
Bradford may have benefited from a helping hand in their unlikely pursuit of play-off glory, but Steve McNamara’s men did themselves a power of good against an outclassed Salford side who were swept away in a blistering opening.
The Bulls never looked back after scoring two tries in the first four minutes and were 24-6 up by half-time.
Centre Chris Nero got the scoreboard ticking over after only 90 seconds, with the first of his three tries, and Salford had no time to recover before he sent his winger Semi Tadulala over for the first of his two.
Back-row forward Jamie Langley added two further tries before the break, and prop Sam Burgess had one disallowed for a double movement as the home side turned on the power.
It was 18-0 after only 11 minutes, and Salford’s small band of followers must have feared a repeat of the record 96-16 mauling their team suffered at Odsal nine years ago.
But the Reds responded briefly to stave any such a heavy reversal, though they were eventually well beaten.
It was a sad way for former Huddersfield Bradford captain Robbie Paul to mark his return to Odsal, and his misery was compounded by news of relegation for his new club Leigh – which means he will be playing in the third tier of British rugby league in 2010.
