Rugby League Mar 12, 2026

Super League: Bradford Bulls beat Toulouse in 18-6 home win after Ethan Ryan hat-trick hands French side first loss of season

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Super League: Bradford Bulls beat Toulouse in 18-6 home win after Ethan Ryan hat-trick hands French side first loss of season

Ethan Ryan scored a hat-trick as Bradford battled past Toulouse 18-6 at Odsal to inflict a first Betfred Super League defeat on the French side.

The Bulls ended their visitors' fine start to the campaign and made it two wins from three since returning to the top division.

After Toulouse - who had beaten Wakefield and then Castleford in their opening two games of the new season - had failed to land an early penalty, Rowan Milnes converted his attempt from the tee to edge the Bulls in front after 11 minutes.

Toulouse, though, slowly built a sustained spell of pressure and after a try was ruled out for a knock-on over the line, Anthony Marion showed quick feet to take a short pass and dart in under the posts on 23 minutes. This time, Cesar Rouge did make the extras.

Bradford - who lost their opener to Hull and then beat Catalans Dragons - mounted an impressive recovery to get their first try on the board just after the half-hour mark. Fijian winger Waqa Blake finished off a sweeping passing move to dive over in the corner. Milnes, though, missed his conversion attempt to leave things level at 6-6.

The Bulls maintained momentum and went into the break with a 10-6 lead after Connor Wynne drove forwards before Luke Hooley touched on an instinctive fingertip pass for Ryan to score in the left corner. Milnes again could not add the conversion.

Ryan got his second try soon after the restart when he collected a high kick from Milnes and held off Toulouse winger Paul Ulberg to spin down in the far corner.

Tempers flared in the 51st minute following a coming together between Bradford forward Joe Mellor and Toulouse hooker Brendan Hands, which was followed by a mass melee. Once everyone had calmed down, the referee warned both captains and awarded a penalty to the Bulls.

Caleb Aekins then sent a slide-rule pass across for Ryan to make a flying jump over into the same corner for his third try just after the hour as Bradford saw out the closing stages.

Tags:

rugby-league news

Share this article

Related Posts

Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR: Time to get down to business for Super League in Las Vegas after flashing lights and extravagant events

Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR: Time to get down to business for Super League in Las Vegas after flashing lights and extravagant events

Las Vegas has delivered extravaganza, flashing lights and a stage like no other. But now, it is time for Super League to get down to business.Listenin...

Mark Percival signs St Helens contract extension to keep him at Super League club for 15th season

Mark Percival signs St Helens contract extension to keep him at Super League club for 15th season

St Helens have announced that Mark Percival has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club for a 15th season.Percival has been with...

Super League: Warrington hold off Wakefield fightback as St Helens cruise to big win over Catalans

Super League: Warrington hold off Wakefield fightback as St Helens cruise to big win over Catalans

Warrington Wolves held off a brave fightback from Wakefield Trinity to close out a 27-16 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and maintain their perfect...

Super League in Las Vegas 2026: Harry Newman and Chris Hankinson relishing 'surreal' opportunity at Allegiant Stadium

Super League in Las Vegas 2026: Harry Newman and Chris Hankinson relishing 'surreal' opportunity at Allegiant Stadium

It is fair to say it has been a surreal week as a whole for Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR - and that is not going to stop when it gets to game day.The two...

Wakefield Trinity 14-10 Hull FC: Daryl Powell's side battle to hard-fought Super League victory over struggling Black and Whites

Wakefield Trinity 14-10 Hull FC: Daryl Powell's side battle to hard-fought Super League victory over struggling Black and Whites

Will Tate's brace helped give Wakefield's Betfred Super League season a belated lift-off as the hosts chiselled out a hard-fought 14-10 win over Hull...

Super League: Wigan Warriors continue perfect start with away win at Toulouse as St Helens overcome Bradford Bulls

Super League: Wigan Warriors continue perfect start with away win at Toulouse as St Helens overcome Bradford Bulls

Wigan maintained their perfect start to the new Betfred Super League campaign with a 36-16 win away at Toulouse as Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran sc...