Rugby League: Fox puts Bradford on top

DERYCK FOX led Bradford Northern two points clear of Warrington at the top of the Stones Bitter Championship yesterday with 26 points as his side beat Hull KR 54-8, writes Richard Wetherell. Bradford were 28-0 ahead by the interval despite squandering a number of chances.

Fox, the Bradford captain, was in inspirational form, scoring three tries and kicking seven goals, as well as setting up several powerful raids and grabbing his tries with good support play behind a rampant pack.

Frano Botica and Sam Panapa helped to get Wigan's championship show back on the road at Central Park with a 34-12 victory over Salford. Botica was in his usual superb kicking form, succeeding seven times out of eight, while Panapa grabbed two tries as the champions bounced back after Wednesday's shock defeat by Wakefield Trinity.

Held 12-12 at half-time, they ran in 22 second-half points without reply to emerge comfortable winners.

Castleford scored 13 tries as they overwhelmed Leigh 70-6 to keep Bradford, Warrington and Wigan within reach. St John Ellis took his try tally for the season to 28 with a hat-trick and landed four second-half goals to finish with 20 points.