Cunningham's quality sinks Bulls

St Helens 34 Bradford 26

Saints drew level with Bradford at the top of Super League with the return of Keiron Cunningham the key factor, just as it could be for Great Britain in Australia.

Cunningham, still feeling his way back to match fitness, had a hand in Saints' first four tries, but it took them until the last couple of minutes to shake off Bradford's challenge in a contest well up to the standards these two sides have set.

It took Bradford six minutes to take the lead. From a scrum, Michael Withers came into the line and slipped a reverse pass that sent Brandon Costing through a gap.

But Cunningham, back from his hand injury, was instrumental in bringing Saints level, sending Paul Sculthorpe over with a swift pass from dummy half. Cunningham's surging run also set up Saints' second, again scored by Sculthorpe, who also added both goals.

Saints went further ahead with Cunningham again showing his unique range of skills with a darting run and pass to Darren Britt. Bradford were in danger of being swept away but a second try from Costin kept them in touch.

Cunningham and Barry Ward did the approach work for Saints to pave the way for Paul Wellens to score the first try of the second half. Again the Bulls were barely hanging on, but Mike Forshaw's break and Withers' try once more reduced the gap to six points. Saints came under further pressure when John Stakevitch was sin-binned and Deacon kicked his fourth goal.

St Helens still had the extra touch of class, however, Sculthorpe measuring his little kick perfectly for Darren Albert to claim their fifth try.

Again the Bulls came back, with Tevita Vaikona's try from Daniel Gartner's pass. Forshaw and Sonny Nickle went to the sin bin as the tension boiled over, but Wellens' second try from his own little kick two minutes from time made sure of the win for Saints.

St Helens: Albert; Hoppe, Gleeson, Newlove, Stewart; Sculthorpe, Wellens; Britt, Cunningham, Nickle, Stankevich, Joynt, Shiels. Substitutes used: Ward, Bennett, Higham, Martyn.

Bradford: Withers; McAvoy, Naylor, Costin, Vaikona; Paul, Deacon; Wagana, Lowes, Fielden, Gartner, Peacock, Forshaw. Substitutes used: Vainikola, McDermott, Gilmour, Moore.

Referee: R Connolly (Wigan).