Jeffries turns heat on Harris

But Harris, 32 this year, has lost his place at stand off in the Bradford side to Australian half back Ben Jeffries and on yesterday's evidence has little hope of getting it back in the near future.

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Jeffries, 27, signed from Wakefield during the closed season to give Bradford coach Steve McNamara another option, has the pace that Harris, sadly, has lost.

And Jeffries came up with a crucial second-half try — his first for his new club — to wrap up Bradford's second successive victory despite missing key personnel and losing two more to injury.

Warrington, in with a chance to stay on the shoulder of champions Leeds, fell into some of their bad old habits yesterday and it was one of their most high-profile signings who effectively gifted Jeffries the decisive score with three minutes left.

The Wolves had just given themselves a chance by closing the gap to 18-10 through winger Chris Hicks's eighth touchdown of the season when Australia centre Matt King threw out an errant pass. Jeffries swooped like a slip fielder, scooped up the ball, and sprinted 60 metres to the Warrington line.

"Ben had a busy day," said his coach. "And the try he scored showed just why we brought him here. It was down to his speed which is something our halfbacks have not been able to do."

The worry for McNamara is that another of his new signings, utility back Paul Sykes, is facing an X-ray after damaging an elbow and Kiwi winger Tame Tupou had to go off with a knee injury.

Sykes, deputising at full back for the absent Michael Platt, scored Bradford's opening try and was playing well until he was injured midway through the second half.

Burgeoning star Sam Burgess scored their second after former Bradford allrounder Paul Johnson had replied for Warrington and scrum half Paul Deacon kicked three penalties as well as converting two of their tries and adding a drop goal.

Disappointed Warrington coach Paul Cullen conceded: 'Bradford beat us in the battle for field position and we also paid the price for pushing our passes. We were guilty of trying to win the game too early.'