Bradford Bulls u19s 6 Warrington Wolves u19s 14

WARRINGTON Wolves continued their winning run with a very hard fought victory at Bradford Bulls in the Academy Under 19s Championship at The Provident Stadium, Odsal on Thursday evening.

The game was a tough encounter with scoring opportunities at a premium but it was the Wolves who managed to step up a gear after the break to claim the win over a brave Bradford side who gave their all for the full eighty minutes.

Wolves opened the scoring in the second minute when a high kick on the last tackle by Bradford was collected on his own 20 metre line by scrum half Brad Stanway and he raced 80 metres down the wing to score in the left corner.

But Bulls hit back midway through the half when they forced back-to-back drop outs and the pressure told as a short ball from full back Luke Hooley put centre Ross Oakes through a gap to score at the left of the posts.

Winger Kieran Walpole converted and with no more scoring in the half it was the Bulls who went in with a narrow 6-4 half time lead.

Wolves regained the lead nine minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty on the Bulls line and substitute Connor Adams found fellow substitute Robert Holroyd.

He powered over and managed to turn in the tackle to score between the posts despite having four defenders on him.

Second row Harvey Livett converted and then more intense defending kept the scoreboard quiet until two minutes from time.

Wolves had a scrum on the Bradford 30 metre line and the ball went out wide to Livett, who stepped round the cover to score wide out on the left and complete a 14-6 success for the young Wolves.

Head coach Lee Briers said: “We may not have been as clinical in attack as what we have been but it was our defence that really stood out.

“Bradford deserve great credit for the way they performed and they asked plenty of questions but the lads stood firm and kept them at bay.

“We will now prepare for our home game against Salford Red Devils next Wednesday, kick off 6.00pm at Crosfields ARLFC.”

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Richard Harris, Harry Lightfoot-Brown, Charlie Phythian, David Foggin-Johnston; Morgan Smith, Brad Stanway; Daniel Murray, Daniel Hirst, Pat Moran, Harvey Livett, Alex Whalley, Sam Wilde. Subs: Robert Holroyd, Connor Adams, Reece Brunt, Andy Philbin.