Former Penrith Panthers duo Adrian Purtell and Jarrod Sammut helped Bradford put the looming threat of administration to one side with a 12-4 win over Super League champions Leeds on Friday.
Purtell, who enjoyed a two-year career at Penrith after spending most of his time in the NRL at Canberra, scored Bradford’s first try after 65 minutes while Ben Jeffries stepped up to sink the Rhinos with an effort of his own moments later.
Sammut, a Panther between 2007 and 2009, held his nerve to covert both in what could be the Bulls’ last game.
The club is set to announce the outcome of their push for funds on Saturday.
Leeds actually opened the scoring through Zak Hardaker but no-one will begrudge Bradford victory, given they needed to raise STG500,000 ($A778,400) by the day of the game to avoid administration.
Meanwhile days after Nathan Brown revealed he would be joining St Helens next season his Huddersfield Giants returned to the top of the Super League table with a 36-10 win over Salford.
Brown saw hooker Tommy Lee score in either half as the Giants made light work of the Reds, who actually crossed first through Jodie Broughton after four minutes.
However Jermaine McGillvary’s try moments later, converted by Danny Brough, who kicked six goals, gave Huddersfield a lead they wouldn’t relinquish with Michael Lawrence soon following suit.
Then came Lee’s double, Shaun Lunt scoring in between, while Greg Eden also touched down in the second half as Salford mustered just one other try from Joel Moon in the 23rd minute.
Brett Seymour scored Hull’s fifth try of six as they moved up into second behind the Giants with a 36-6 derby victory at home to Hull KR.
Seymour grabbed his score in the 73rd minute however the night very much belonged to Jordan Turner as he grabbed a second-half hat-trick to put the Rovers out of sight.
Elsewhere George Carmont and Jeff Lima played pivotal roles as Wigan recovered from a slow start to down St Helens 28-10 and pick up a second successive victory.
Saints, almost three weeks on from the dismissal of former Australia assistant Royce Simmons, drew first blood through New Zealand international Francis Meli after nine minutes.
But once Darrell Goulding went over in the 16th minute, the Warriors seized the initiative with Carmont also going over in the first half.
Iosia Soliola replied for St Helens after the break but Sam Tomkins 59th-minute try, followed by tries from Gareth Hock and prop Lima, saw Wigan ease clear.
Rangi Chase pulled the strings as Castleford, who snapped a seven-game losing streak with victory over Hull KR last time out, downed Wakefield 34-16 for a second successive win.
On Thursday, Warrington fullback Brett Hodgson contributed 18 points to the Wolves’ 46-12 defeat of Widnes.
Louis Anderson recorded two tries as Catalan Dragons built on their 76-6 demolition of Widnes last weekend with a 36-18 victory over London Broncos.
