Rugby League Round-Up: Bradford's hopes damaged by Hull

BRADFORD NORTHERN'S title aspirations took another knock as they slipped to their third defeat in four games, losing 32-30 in a match of swinging fortunes at home to Hull.

Hull exploited some sloppy defensive work by Bradford to take a 26-8 lead at the interval, when Bradford were booed off by their own fans. Gerald Cordle completed a four-try haul, but Hull completed a league double which almost certainly ends Bradford's hopes of winning the championship for the first time in 13 years.

At the other end of the Stones Bitter Championship, Hull KR look relegation certainties after they surrendered a 23-20 lead to Sheffield Eagles, who finished 30-23 winners.

Rovers had fought back from a 20-12 half-time deficit, but with eight minutes left Sheffield's French international centre, David Fraisse, broke out of his own 25 for his second try of the game.

Mark Aston converted and the winger Lynton Stott got his second try. Eagles now seem certain of a play-off place and the highest league position in their history.

Wembley finalists Leeds came from behind to score a valuable win over Halifax in their fight for a top-eight Premiership place. They trailed by eight points after 21 minutes, but regained their composure to settle the issue with three tries either side of the interval.

Peter Roe has quit as Keighley coach after three years in charge of his home-town club, together with his assistant, Ian Fairhurst. Rick Winterbottom will be in charge until the end of the season.