Burgess shows resurgent Bradford his true worth

Bradford 42 Catalans Dragons 18

It might be too little and too late, but Bradford are at least finishing the season with a hint of what might have been.

This third win in a row, which leaves them still with an outside chance of making the play-offs, was also a reminder of what a loss Sam Burgess will be if, as expected, he heads for Australia after next season.

Burgess was the catalyst for this victory, coming on from the bench after the French side had taken a lead through Sébastien Raguin. With his first touch he put Jamie Langley through a gap, with his second, he took the return pass to score.

On the half hour, Burgess stormed through the Catalans defence and set up a try for Rikki Sheriffe. That was the first of three tries in six minutes, with Chris Nero and Steve Menzies both going over from Paul Deacon kicks.

The Catalans, with a much better chance of making the top eight, played with little desire or application. They succumbed to a trio of tries in quick succession, with Wayne Godwin, Paul Sykes and Deacon all easily getting over the line.

The Dragons did manage late tries from Cyril Gossard and Sébastien Martins, split by one from the Bulls' Glenn Morrison, but their coach, Kevin Walters, admitted that it was a poor performance.

The Bulls' Steve McNamara prefers not even to discuss the possibility of a late dash at the eight. "We promised to finish in the best possible form – and it will take us where it takes us," he said.

Bradford: Halley; Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Tadulala; Sykes, Deacon; Lynch, Godwin, Scruton, Langley, Morrison, Menzies. Substitutes used: Donaldson, Worrincy, Burgess, Kopczak.

Catalans Dragons: Pelo; Duport, Gossard, Raguin, Stacul; Mogg, Bird; Ryles, McGuire, Guisset, Mounis, Elima, Ferriol. Substitutes used: Touxagas, Bentley, Martins, Casty.

Referee: R.Silverwood (Mirfield)