Betfred Super League
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Bradford (8) 30
Tries: Nikorima, Mellor, Dean, Doro Goals: Dean 7
York (4) 20
Tries: Nofoaluma 3, Harris Goals: Hunter 2
Riley Dean scored 18 points on his Bradford Bulls debut as they beat York Knights in a meeting of two newly promoted teams.
The 24-year-old has had a nomadic career since making his Super League debut for Warrington Wolves in 2019, and signed for the Bulls last month until the end of the season.
York winger David Nofoaluma finished on the losing side despite scoring a hat-trick as Dean's impressive kicking, notching seven from eight, kept Kurt Haggerty's team in front for most of the game.
Nofoaluma's third seemed to have set up a nervy finish, but Dean came up with a vital try and the Bulls finished with a flourish as Eribe Doro added another to give Bradford a fifth home win out of seven this season.
The fortnight break for the Challenge Cup final allowed these two teams, who have suffered more than most from the glut of injuries in Super League this season, to bring back key players.
York began the stronger, with Nofoaluma proving too sharp for Connor Wynne to score in the corner, and when Bulls hooker Andy Ackers was sin-binned two minutes later for a high tackle on Paul Vaughan they sought to press home the advantage.
But the Bulls defended with discipline and determination and took the lead despite being a man down as the expansive rugby which has made them friends in Super League circles suddenly burst out.
Waqa Blake's fast hands freed Ethan Ryan down the left and he had Nikorima in support to score under the posts.
Dean converted and added a penalty to make it 8-4 at half-time but shortly into the second half York were level as Nofoaluma latched on to Cody Hunter's excellent pass over the top.
Ill discipline then cost York as King Vuniyayawa's tip tackle gave Bulls a penalty which allowed them to edge back in front and Nofoaluma was sin-binned for a tackle off the ball.
With Scott Galeano given a green card after taking a blow to the head, York were down to 11 men and Joe Mellor, one of Bradford's returning stalwarts, forced his way over.
Dean again converted and kicked another penalty but any notion they would coast to victory was soon quashed as Nofoaluma's third try, and eighth of the season, and a conversion from Cody Hunter, who missed his first two, cut the lead to four.
Dean stepped in to ease the nerves of the home fans, scoring after Ryan had brilliantly fielded a high kick and passed him the ball under pressure.
Doro had been a driving force for the Bulls all night and he was rewarded with a try which meant that Liam Harris' late reply for the Knights was academic.
Bradford: Aekins; Wynne, Chamberlain, Blake, Ryan; Nikorima, Dean; Sutton, Ackers, Doro, Fulton, Russell, Mellor.
Interchanges: Gardiner, Scurr, Atkin, Peposhi
Sin-bin: Ackers (22)
York: Dagger; Galeano, Wood, Mata'afa, Nofoaluma; Hunter, Harris; Martin, Inman, Vaughan, Reynolds, Field, Thompson
Interchanges: Balmforth, Va'a, Vuniyayawa, Hingano
Sin-bin: Nofoaluma (47)
Referee: Liam Rush