Bradford 23 Warrington 10: Bulls pay price for victory

Paul Deacon produced a magnificent display to help Bradford claim their third win of the season yesterday, but victory could have come at a high price for Steve McNamara, the Bulls' coach.

Already without Jamie Langley, Glenn Morrison, Joe Vagana and Michael Platt, McNamara is now waiting for news on Paul Sykes and Tame Tupou after the pair were withdrawn during a tough encounter at Odsal. Sykes was immediately sent for an X-ray on an injured elbow while Tupou suffered a knee problem that will be assessed this morning ahead of Thursday's match with Leeds.

"We were solid without being spectacular," said McNamara. "We did what we needed to."

That was an unfair reflection on Deacon's performance as he claimed five goals, one drop goal and proved a menace with his intelligent kicking game, taking less than two minutes to give the hosts a lead they never looked likely to relinquish when he notched a penalty after Warrington were caught offside.

Terry Newton and Ben Jeffries combined to send Sykes over as Bradford pushed clear before Sam Burgess latched on to Deacon's probing kick just before half-time to extend their advantage. Only Paul Johnson's try had provided any solace for the Wolves and two more Deacon penalties put the game out of reach with 20 minutes left.

Warrington briefly rallied when Chris Hicks continued his fine form by collecting Lee Briers' chip kick but a 70-metre dash from Jeffries ended any hopes of a Wolves comeback. Deacon's last-minute drop goal added the final touches.

Bradford: Sykes; Tadulala, Evans, Hape, Tupou; Jeffries, Deacon; Lynch, Newton, Feather, Nero, Finnigan, Burgess. Substitutes used: Solomona, Godwin, Cook, James.

Warrington: Reardon; Hicks, Martin Gleeson, King, Johnson; Briers, Monaghan; Morley, Clarke, Rauhihi, L Anderson, Westwood, V Anderson. Substitutes used: Mark Gleeson, Parker, Pickersgill, Bracek.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).