Whitehaven were unable to make it three wins in successive visits to Bradford’s Odsal Stadium.
The Cumbrians went down 24-8 in a tough opening game of the Betfred Championship which for long periods was an arm wrestle.
Jonty Gorley’s men had started well with Bradford having to defend strongly under pressure, and the visitors forced the game’s first goal-line drop-out.
Indeed it was Whitehaven who took the lead on 16 minutes when Bradford were penalised for accidental offside and Sam Freeman kicked the first points of the new season.
Gradually Bradford came into the game an on 27 minutes they went ahead. A clever short ball from Jordan Lilley sent Chester Butler through a gap and he went on to touchdown. Dec Patton added the conversion.
There was another close shave for Haven on 31 minutes when Kieran Gill stretched out for the line but was ruled to have lost the ball in the process.
In the closing minutes of the half Haven produced some outstanding defence to restrict the Bradford lead to 6-2 at the break.
Right from the restart Whitehaven piled on the pressure and once more it took some excellent defensive work from Bradford to keep them out.
Then out of the blue on 49 minutes a fine break by Butler cut through Whitehaven and he was able to send Gill racing in for the second try which Patton converted.
It was another Bradford try two minutes later which really set-up the win. Patton linked with Tom Holmes who put Gill in for his second try in as many minutes. Patton went three from three with the conversion.
The score of 18-2 at that stage was a tad unfair on the Cumbrians and on 64 minutes they gave themselves some hope with a try.
The ball was worked wide, and although it hit the ground at one stage, Dave Eccleston was able to pick up and dive in for the try which Freeman converted.
In the closing stages Bradford sealed the win with a try from George Flanagan senior who just used his strength to muscle his way over the line from close range. Patton converted.
