Mellor hat-trick fires Bradford to victory

BRADFORD Bulls launched their Championship Shield with a nine-try 46-18 victory over Whitehaven.

A hat-trick from Alex Mellor saw Rohan Smith’s side open their account with an impressive win. Bulls were in front after just four minutes, Danny Addy crossing after good work from Danny Williams.

Adam O’Brien then set-up tries for Mellor – his first of the afternoon – and Williams.

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And it was four tries in 15 minutes when Matty Blythe crossed in the corner.

Whitehaven finally troubled the scorers as Ugo Perez and Chris Taylor crashed over for tries.

But it was Bradford who finished with the upper hand at half-time, Mellor racing in for his second try of the game following Dane Chisholm’s grubber kick.

And Mellor completed his hat-trick at the start of the second half, diving over at the right-hand corner.

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Kris Welham chalked up his 18th try of the season, before Mellor played in Australian Kieren Moss for a try.

There was a silver lining for Whitehaven as Dave Allen grabbed a consolation try, before Kurt Haggerty completed the scoring.

Bradford return to Championship Shield action on Sunday when they welcome Halifax to Odsal.

Whitehaven: Jouffret, Holliday, Taylor, Carberry, Ince, Aiye, Gore, Riley, Newton, T. Chapelhow, Allen, Perez, Walker. Substitutes: Duffy, Forster, Fox, Davies.

Bradford: Moss, Blythe, Mellor, Welham, Williams, Charnock, Chisholm, Sidlow, O’Brien, Kavanagh, Haggerty, Pitts, Addy. Substitutes: Crossley, Lauaki, Olbison, Howarth.

Referee: T Crashley (RFL).