Challenge Cup: London Broncos defeat Bradford in fifth round
Michael Witt was the star as London Broncos moves into the last eight of the Challenge Cup by beating Bradford 25-16.
Last Updated: 10/05/13 10:43pm
Witt scored a try, four conversions and a drop-goal as the Broncos claimed a quarter-final spot for the second season in a row.
But it was the Bulls, who thrashed the Broncos 46-20 in Super League a month ago, who threatened first as Elliot Kear was held up in the corner by the combined efforts of Dan Sarginson and Kieran Dixon.
A Bradford score was not long in coming though, with Jarrod Sammut scooping up a loose pass to skip over by the posts.
But the Broncos eventually got a foothold in the contest and opened their own account on on 13 minutes, Matt Cook taking a short pass from Craig Gower to muscle over.
London then took the lead on 24 minutes thanks to some magic from Dixon, the winger evading the clutches of would-be tacklers to race over from inside his own half.
Suddenly it was the Broncos exerting all the pressure and the hosts moved 18-6 up at half-time when Scott Wheeldon bulldozed his way over from close range.
Bradford threatened after the break, with Adrian Purtell having a try chalked off for a knock on, but handling errors and poor decision-making prevented the Bulls from closing the 12-point deficit.
The Londoners did look to nudge even further ahead on a rare foray forward on 63 minutes, only for Witt to see his drop-goal attempt drift just wide.
But Witt made up for that moments later as he bundled over the try-line after Gower's grubber kick through had eluded the Bradford defence.
Bradford did hit back when Nick Scruton barging over on 71 minutes but the charge came too late and Witt slotted over a drop goal at the other end.
Kear did cross for a late Bulls score in the corner in the dying seconds but it was no more than a consolation.
