Rapid-fire Bulls - Tadulala’s treble too hot for Dragons

Catalans coach Mick Potter, who has already been named as the replacement for Daniel Anderson at St Helens next season, was understandably 'miffed' by referee Ben Thaler's decision.

My hero: McGuire (second right) congratulated on his hat-trick by Tansey (left)

"It was a big call," said Potter, who brought his team to Bradfordon the back of a club record unbeaten run of nine games in cup and league.

"I am not saying the 24 points we conceded were all down to the sin-binning because we defended badly and I didn't think the boys looked motivated enough when we were down to 12 players.

"But I don't recall any Bradfordplayers being sin-binned when they were penalised."

Catalans had started like a team on a winning streak but when Bulls full back Michael Platt intercepted Jerome Guisset's pass near his own line he galloped clear until Greenshields nailed him deep in the opposing half.

The referee was satisfied that Greenshields was guilty of a professional foul for pinning Platt to the turf but the yellow card seemed harsh.

Bradford made it look even harsher by scoring four converted tries in the ten minutes Greenshields was off the pitch—two of them from Fijian winger Semi Tadulala who went on to complete his third hat-trick in seven games.

Tadulala, signed from Wakefieldin the closed season, is enjoying a purple patch with 14 touchdowns after missing the start of the season with a fractured cheekbone.

"He is putting the ball over the line for us but he also mafde a couple of errors so I am not going to get carried away,' said Bradford coach Steve McNamara.

"It was good to have some dry conditions at last and I don't think Catalans touched the ball in the period they were down to 12 players.

"It just shows that unless you play for the full 80 minutes, especially in a knock-out competition, it can be all over for you."

There was certainly no way back for Catalans—the second French club Bradford have beaten in the Challenge Cup this season—after the Bulls early blitz and it was ironic that Greenshields came back to score their first try.

Bradford led 30-4 at the break, the impressive Jamie Langley and Shontayne Hape stretching their advantage before Dimitri Pelo and Julien Touxagas scored consolation tries for Catalans.