Bradford Bulls 14 Hull FC 28: Westerman shines as Hull show flashes of class against Bradford

The frustrating thing for Airlie Birds supporters will be why could their dominant side not maintain the class for longer and put a dazed Bradford team to the sword?

The relaxed manner in which their dynamic second-row duo of Joe Westerman and Willie Manu continually broke their hosts’ fringe defence was masterful, a series of powerful surges and clever passing causing all sorts of headaches.

As they combined to swarm into a 16-0 lead with three tries inside just seven minutes, it was the sort of attacking brilliance Hull have for so long threatened to produce during Richard Agar’s reign.

However, a couple of moments of similarly common fragility undid their sterling work and, in the end, the East Yorkshire club had to battle their way to two points which should have been so much more comfortable.

There is no denying though, the good parts were impressive.

Manu’s delicate slip pass put Kirk Yeaman bursting down the left and, while the Bulls defenders tried holding on, the in-form centre still had enough presence to squeeze out a pass for the supporting Richard Horne to ease in on 15 minutes.

Immediately, the marauding Manu – a rare mix of raw power and clever subtlety – ushered Yeaman clear again as the same combination opened up Bradford.

Although he was thwarted, and Brett Kearney got a flailing hand to deny the breaking Sam Obst’s try-making pass to Craig Fitzgibbon, they finally got over at the third attempt.

With Bradford breathless, Westerman’s reverse pass from dummy half saw the ferocious Sam Moa bundle across from close range.

Danny Tickle improved both scores and, when Patrick Ah Van overhit the re-start, Hull scored their third try with their bemused opponents having not had a single possession during the brutal assault. This time it was Westerman, brimming with confidence, who did the damage, throwing an outrageous dummy close in at acting half before heading blind and stretching out of Shad Royston’s weak tackle attempt.

Tickle could not add the extras and, just as swiftly as Hull had seemingly taken control of the contest, Bradford got back in it with two tries in three minutes just before the break.

Marc Herbert proffered a 40/20 after previously seeing numerous kicks frustratingly just roll dead only for Bradford to waste the rare opportunity, Danny Addy spilling Jamie Langley’s unnecessary off-load.

However, soon after, Herbert’s fired pass put Michael Platt racing into space down the Bulls left from near halfway and winger Royston supported to reach the corner.

Herbert struggled to deal with Hull’s re-start as the ball bounced and evaded him but it turned to his side’s advantage.

Andy Lynch finally mopped it up and, instead of customarily trundling possession forward, surprised the on-rushing Hull defence by turning to the blindside and slipping a short pass for Royston to sprint down the unmarked touchline.

He was eventually hauled in by Richard Whiting but Bradford did not come away pointless, Herbert’s low-flighted crossfield kick catching Hull unawares again and leaving Royston to finish well for his second.

Ah Van failed badly with both conversion attempts but Bradford – on a three-match unbeaten run – had found some confidence to go in trailing 16-8.

Their hopes of overhauling that deficit further though suffered a sizeable blow when Hull struck first after the break.

After a bullocking run from Ephalame Lauakai, Manu, showing another string to his bow, dabbed a little grubber towards the goalline.

Yeaman had no right to win the race yet still did, beating Kearney to secure his 17th Super League try of a rewarding campaign.

Tickle converted but a storming run from the impressive Bradford prop Craig Kopczak resulted in a swift response, captain Lynch finishing off as Ah Van finally found his range.

Kopczak almost made it a double with a forceful, dummying run soon after but desperate Hull defence denied him and then a raft of poor decisions ensured Bradford’s chance went begging.

Likewise, Elliott Whitehead could only find Tom Briscoe in a moment of panic when his side were well positioned while, when the busy Ben Jeffries hoisted a kick, Ah Van plucked from the grasp of Briscoe but could not hold on as he fell to the ground over the line.

Westerman had an effort ruled out when Obst’s pass was ruled forward but Bradford – with Nick Scruton returning from injury – still created chances.

The best came when another Jeffries kick was gathered by Whitehead, the centre denied when Yeaman came from nowhere to dislodge possession at the death.

It was left to the seasoned old professional Fitzgibbon, moved up to prop to facilitate Westerman’s inclusion, to finish Bradford off, scrambling over in the 78th minute to touch down Obst’s clever kick.

But, with a little more composure, it could have been so much easier, something Hull must realise if they want to press further this season.

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Bradford: Kearney; Crookes, Royston, Whitehead, Ah Van; Jeffries, Herbert; Lynch, Diskin, Kopczak, Elima, Sibbit, Langley. Substitutes: Platt, Scruton, Addy, Burgess.

Hull: Whiting; Lyne, Turner, Yeaman, Briscoe; Horne, Obst; O’Meley, Houghton, Fitzgibbon, Manu, Westerman, Tickle. Substitutes: Dowes, Lauaki, Moa, Radford.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).