Bradford Bulls have no answer to rampant Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves ran in five tries as they beat Bradford Bulls 26-12 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to climb second in the table and level on points with leaders Leeds Rhinos.
The Wolves, who maintained their 100 per cent home record in nine matches in all competitions this season, sit behind Leeds only on points difference with a game in hand and level on 18 points with third-placed St Helens.
Full-back Josh Thewlis, prop Luke Thomas and centre Albert Hopoate all went over to put Warrington in control in the first period and Bradford responded through prop Jamie Gill as the home side led 14-6 at half-time.
Bradford were unfortunate when the video referee disallowed Connor Wynne’s score just before the interval which would have closed the gap to 14-10.
They were also made to pay for poor discipline, with winger Jayden Okunbor sin-binned for a high tackle before Thewlis opened the scoring.
But Warrington’s teenage half-back Ewan Irwin, who was successful with three of his conversion attempts, touched down early in the second period.
And winger Matty Ashton raced in for Warrington’s fifth try to extend their lead to 26-6 with 20 minutes remaining.
Bradford stand-off Jayden Nikorima’s effort – half-back partner Chris Atkin landed both his conversion attempts – cut the deficit to 14 points with the game’s final try.
But there was no way back for the newly-promoted visitors, who slipped to their eighth Super League defeat of the season.
In the Betfred Women’s Super League, Leeds Rhinos thrashed Featherstone Rovers 60-6.
Huddersfield Giants beat Leigh Leopards 26-0, while York Valkyrie lost 18-14 to St Helens.