Bradford 20 Wakefield 12 match report: 'I won’t waste my energy on points deduction,' says Francis Cummins

Francis Cummins believes a decent run of fixtures for the Bulls puts pressure on their relegation rivals (Getty Images)

Francis Cummins, the Bradford coach, stressed he can only control what happens on the field after his side beat Super League rivals Wakefield 20-12 on Sunday ahead of Wednesday’s crucial appeal against an early-season points deduction.

The Bulls were docked six points in February after going into administration and the victory over the Wildcats put them back on the positive side of the points ledger.

Three first-half tries, from Adrian Purtell (two) and Tom Olbison, plus four Luke Gale goals earned the hosts a fourth league win of the season, which leaves them trailing third from bottom Wakefield by six points.

Cummins acknowledged that attention would now be on the outcome of the midweek hearing, but he insisted: “I’m not wasting my emotions on things like that – I’m focusing on making things better on the field. My job is to get those lads in the best shape I can. If we get points back great, if we don’t we just have to focus on the job in hand.

“We looked really assured,” he added of how his side had fought to gain a 16-0 half-time advantage, “and were doing what we planned to – really believing – which is pleasing.”

The defeated coach Richard Agar, whose side hit back after the interval with two tries from Matt Ryan, felt the game had hinged on a couple of crucial decisions, particularly a disallowed try from Richard Mathers.

In yesterday’s other game, Luke Dorn scored a hat-trick as Castleford moved to within two points of the top of the table with a 54-12 victory over 12-man Hull KR, who had Australian prop Michael Weyman sent off for dissent.

Daryl Powell’s men have been the surprise package this season and they had the two points wrapped up before the break as they ran riot on a warm afternoon in West Yorkshire.