Bulls were brought down to earth after giant-killing exploits as Halifax won their Summer Bash clash 21-14.
Check out T&A reporter Brad Deas' game guide and player ratings from Blackpool.
Man of the match
A tough one, as many Bulls players stood out for their endeavour. Minchella, Hallas and Ryan all put in impressive performances, and Foggin-Johnston was great in the early stages. But, simply for a battle-hardened display, solid defence, and an unheralded burst of pace when returning to the pitch, it goes to Steve Crossley. He was constantly in the face of the opposition and made good ground when carrying.
Tactics
Ross Peltier was the only player from the Rhinos game to drop out of the matchday squad, with the rest rewarded for a fine display last weekend.
Matty Storton started, with Connor Farrell dropping to the bench.
The replacement for Peltier was Colton Roche, who made his loan deal at the Bulls permanent in the week.
Moan of the match
Controversial decisions and the stop-start nature of the game. At 10-6 ahead, there were calls for a Bulls penalty to be awarded right under the sticks after Minchella weaved his way through and that could have been pivotal in taking the game away from Halifax. But, in fairness, it was evened out later when Will Sharp seemed to score a perfectly legal try, yet that was overturned. Either way, these big decisions need the help of the video referee, but the coaches had voted otherwise.
Moment of the match
Scott Murrell’s drop-goal with less than three minutes to go. Bulls were already facing a losing battle with at least six points needed to get anything from the game with ten to go. Kear’s men were pushing hard though and it only looked a matter of time until they scored. Murrell’s late kick proved the killer blow though. Only one point scored but it meant the Bulls needed at least two tries in less than three minutes - too big an ask, even for this valiant side.
Player ratings
BULLS: E.Ryan 7, D.Grant 7, J.Webster 7, R.Oakes 6, D.Foggin-Johnston 7, R.Milnes 7, J.Lilley 6, L.Kirk 6, S.Hallas 7, S.Crossley 8, M.Storton 6, E.Minchella 7, M.Wood 7.
Interchanges: C.Farrrell 7, M.Wildie 7, J.Green 6, C.Roche 5.
HALIFAX: Q.L.Togagae 8, W.Sharp 7, C.Butler 6, S.Tyrer 8, S.Robinson 6, S.Murrell 8, S.Grix 7, B.Kavanagh 7, B.Kaye 7, E.Morris 8, E.Barber 7, L.Cooper 6, J.Fairbank 6.
Interchanges: B.Moore 6, D.Fleming 6, K.Larroyer 6, C.Davies 6.
Game Guide
Half-time: 14-12
Crowd: 7,912 (across the whole day)
Referee: Tom Grant
Bulls – Tries: Foggin-Johnston, Grant
Goals: Conversions – Minchella 1/2, Penalties – Minchella 2/2
Halifax – Tries: Kavanagh, Quentin Laulu Togagae, Morris
Goals: Conversions – Tyrer 3/3, Penalties – Tyrer 1/1, Drop-goals – Murrell 1/1
Penalties: Bulls 7, Halifax 8
Goal-line drop-outs: Bulls 1, Halifax 1
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