Rugby League: No answer to Bradford's burst: Third win leaves Northern ready to challenge Wigan's dominance at the top

Wakefield Trinity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Bradford Northern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

BRADFORD NORTHERN could have been 10 points down before they got into their stride last night, but finally brushed Wakefield aside for a third win in as many matches of the new season, writes Dave Hadfield.

Last season's Championship runners-up showed enough, especially in a devastating burst after half-time, to suggest that they could once more be Wigan's most dangerous challengers.

As they do too often, Bradford started slowly and it was no surprise when they fell behind. A break by Mike Forshaw, supported by Adrian Flynn, did the damage and the newly-arrived New Zealander, David Bailey, was there to score his first try for Wakefield, with his countryman, Aaron Whittaker, converting.

When Flynn knocked-on over the try-line it woke Bradford up and after Wakefield's defence had been sucked into the middle, Paul Newlove sent Karl Fairbank over on the left flank.

All the credit for Northern's second try belonged to Carl Hall, who kicked, re-gathered and lobbed an overhead pass to Paul Dixon.

Before half-time, Newlove was again the provider, putting Neil Summers away under the sticks and giving Deryck Fox his first conversion.

Bradford's grip tightened when their hooker, Phil Hepworth, darted over and got the ball down despite being turned on to his back.

Another quick try, Paul Medley and Summers sending in Fox, confirmed Northern's mastery and the rout continued with David Fraisse striding over and Fox making it 18 points in five minutes

Wakefield gained a little ground when Bailey claimed his second try from Whittaker's pass, but Bradford had the last words with tries by the impressive Fraisse and Myers with Fox lifting his tally to six goals.

Wakefield Trinity: Spencer; Wilson, Christie, Flynn, Child; Bailey, Whittaker; Marlow (Durham, 33), Noble (Sheals, h/t), Piva (Marlow, 52), Gildart, Bell, Forshaw.

Bradford Northern: Watson (Heron, 62); Hall, Fraisse, Newlove, Myers; Summers, Fox; Powell (Bourneville, 68), Hepworth, Bourneville (Hamer, h/t), Dixon, Fairbank, Heron (Medley, 24).

Referee: S Cummings (Widnes).