A double from Kieran Gill and Matty Dawson-Jones seals opening day victory for Bradford Bulls

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Bradford Bulls started their season with an eight-try win over Dewsbury Rams at Tetley’s Stadium.

First tries of the season from Dec Patton, Elliot Kear, Dean Foggin-Johnston, AJ Wallace and a double from both Matty Dawson-Jones and Kieran Gill helped the Bulls to a convincing victory.

It was much the opposite to last season’s opener at Sheffield Eagles where the Bulls were battered 50-12, but rather than a battering for John’s Kear side, it was a comfortable start to the campaign.

Early on, a costly error from Dewsbury gave the Bulls their first try as following the error. Kear’s grubber kick was pounced upon by Dawson-Jones, who just about got it down in time to give his side an early advantage.

The Bulls second try came in a similar fashion. An error again from the Rams followed by a sweeping move to the right which saw winger Dawson-Jones score his second try of the day. 

The away side were in control and the third try came soon after. A penalty was given on halfway followed by another lovely move from the Bulls swinging from left to right. Dec Patton faked a pass and burrowed his way from dummy half to the line to score his first try of the season.

After a triple try onslaught, the Rams responded. Following back-to-back penalties, former Bradford man Ross Peltier charged his way through the defence and gave Dewsbury some hope.

However, just on the stroke of half-time, the Bulls added a fourth try. Kear was found with space to run into and scored to give the Bulls a three-try lead at the break.

Early into the second half, the visitors scored another try. A break led by Wallace found its way to Foggin-Johnston who had a simple first try of the season.

Wallace soon turned from provider to scorer as he used great awareness to catch a loose ball and run from halfway to add a sixth try for the Bulls.

It was soon seven for the Bulls. Again a brilliant move finished off by Gill who dummied a pass and swerved his way to the line.

Dewsbury, who had not really had a look in the second half, responded. Jimmy Beckett collected the restart and charged to the line to give the hosts a second try of the afternoon.

The home side followed that up with another try. A spectacular pass found Lewis Carr who looked to have stumbled but recovered well to score Dewsbury’s third try of the game.

Despite a late try resurgence from Dewsbury, the Bulls got their eighth try. Gill got his second after Patton’s kick caused all sorts of problems. The 26-year-old scooped up the ball and scored to give John Kear’s side a superb opening day win.

Attentions now turn to the game against Sheffield Eagles for Bradford Bulls as they will be hoping for back-to-back victories to start the season off.

Dewsbury will be hoping to recover and go again as they face a trip away to York City Knights.

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