(photos: Barry Corbett)

The yellow cards came in quick succession for Adam Coates and Chris Atkins [pictured]. The big Bradford and Bingley Pack took advantage to power their way to an unlikely draw aided by the unerring boot of scrum half Richard Scull.

We had had to make a late change with Johnny Boatman becoming unavailable because of family commitments. Kyle Jamieson stepped in at short notice and went on to score his first try in league rugby.

It was the Bees who had the best of the opening stages going into a 6-0 lead thanks to penalties from Scull before West had had a feel of the ball.

We eventually worked their way into the game with Zac Southern reducing the arrears on 17 minutes, and then bringing the sides level ten minutes later.

Neither side had looked like scoring a try but the Bees opened the floodgates with the first on the half hour. Skipper Brett Mitchell powering his way over from a catch and drive line-out in the corner. Scull converting from closed to the touchline.

The try spurred West into action and they quickly drew level. A series of rolling mauls saw Jay Corbett (above) power his way into the 22 and scrum half Ryan Painter spotted Stu Waites making a run on the short side.

The West full back ran a great line and sidestepped his opposite number Adam Mitchell only to be clothes lined as was going over for the score.

Referee Adam Morrison made Zac Southern’s conversion easier by awarding a penalty try with Mitchell off to the bin

While he was missing West went into the lead for the first time with a fine opportunist try from winger Jamieson (above).

He intercepted Shaun Driver’s pass on the half way breaking a tackle before racing up the left wing to beat the despairing chasers and go in at the corner.

Southern failed narrowly with the conversion, but after the first torrid ten minutes West were happy to go in at the break at 18-13..

They were soon even further ahead. Luke Mallinson’s penalty kick from his own half set up a line-out in the corner.

Rollins’s throw was tapped back by a Bees hand and Sam Miller was the first to react collecting the ball on the bounce to stride over from two metres.

Southern added a superb conversion from close to the touchline, and the home side had an advantage of 12 points and suddenly looking for a rare try scoring bonus point.

It came after 57 minutes when Man of the Match Waites fly hacked his way up the left wing going all the way from his own 22 to the Bees 22.

Full back Adam Mitchell eventually dropped on the ball, but the West forwards were there in numbers and the ball was sped out right to Zac Southern. He drew the cover to send Mallinson in at the corner.

Southern again converted from the touchline and with a 19 point lead West looked unassailable.

However, those two yellow cards were to change the game. Coates (above) took the first after 63 minutes for offside followed a minute later by back row Chris Atkins. He was unlucky to be judged to have put in a dangerous tackle on Bees flanker Chris Fisher.

Bradford seized their opportunity and within a minute winger Adam Wellington went in with Scull wide with the conversion.

In the gathering gloom they were back in the West 22 and their superior numbers saw heavily bearded Brad Mitchell go in under the posts for his second try of the afternoon.

The visitors were now just one score behind and they continued the pressure against a nervy home side. West conceded a number of penalties in their own 22 and with the last play of the game scrum half Scull took a quick tap.

He was stopped on the line only for prop Ryan Wederell to pick up and score.

Scull’s conversion from wide on the left wasn’t easy but he sent is straight through the middle with no time left for a restart.

Bees: Adam Mitchell, Alex Hamard, Harry Hall, Josh Seal, Adam Wellington, Shaun Driver, Richard Scull, Ryan Wederell, Matt Cochrane, Simon Hill, Harry Jeffrey, Brett Mitchell (capt), Luke Peacock, Chris Fisher, Tom Cokell.

Reps (all used): Andy Smith, Dave Barden, Dan Cookson.

Tries: B Mitchell (2), Wellington, Wederell.

Cons: Scull (3)

Pens: Scull (2)

Yellow: Mitchell.

West: Stu Waites (capt), Kyle Jamieson, Scott Butcher, Peter Youll, Luke Mallinson, Zac Southern, Ryan Painter, Ross Wood, Andrew Rollins, Adam Coates, Joe Rafferty, Jay Corbett, Jordan Baggs, Chris Atkins, Sam Miller.

Reps (all used): Jack Angus, Liam, Bailey, Andrew Foreman.

Tries: Jamieson, Miller, Mallinson, Pen. Try.

Cons: Southern (3)

Pens: Southern (2)

Yellow: Coates, Atkins.

Referee: Adam Morrison (Durham)