Coach Cummins proud after difficult week

BRADFORD Bulls coach Francis Cummins hailed his “champion” players after another crucial win and insisted there is no hard feelings with Wakefield Trinity over the loss of Nick Scruton, writes Dave Craven.
Bradford's Adam Sidlow celebrates his try with Matt Diskin. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).Bradford's Adam Sidlow celebrates his try with Matt Diskin. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).
Bradford's Adam Sidlow celebrates his try with Matt Diskin. (Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).

The West Yorkshire club defeated London Broncos 25-12 yesterday as they immediately bounced back from the disappointment of being handed a six-point deduction for entering administration.

In part, that led to long-serving ex-Leeds Rhinos prop Scruton deciding to leave for Wakefield on Saturday, the administrator securing a “nominal” fee for the 29-year-old, who signed a 12-month contract.

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Cummins had always feared more players might leave after seeing Jarrod Sammut (Wakefield) and Garreth Carvell (Hull FC) depart following the financial issues at Odsal.

But he said: “It’s dog eat dog and we’ve got relegation this year.

“Wakey have got a little bit of money now and space in their squad, so they’ve got to do what they’ve got to do.

“If they’re allowed to do it then fine but the one thing I’m not willing to carry around is hatred.

“I’m not going to burn my emotions up on stuff like that.

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“I can’t blame Scrutes – Nick was a mess when he came to tell me what he was going to do – or Wakefield.

“But my concern is the lads in the dressing room and the young lads below them.

“We’ve only got a short time in this career so, hopefully, when this is sorted we don’t have to do it again.”

On the win, which saw Matt Diskin make his 350th career appearance and Bradford move up to minus two points, he added: “We were frustrated with the game as the ruck was an absolute mess. But we found a way.

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“I’ve said it before, after all the stuff they’ve had to put up with, they are champions.”

It is hoped the administrator, with the aid of the RFL, will find a buyer for the club this week with three parties currently interested.

After a lowest-ever Super League attendance at Odsal of 5,410 watched Bradford battle to victory, Cummins said: “I wouldn’t kid by saying ‘it’s not going to affect me or the players’ because I think you have your moments.

“But you either give in or you fight it and try and do your best.

“That’s what you have to do, you have to keep dusting yourself off because the only alternative is to give in.”