Betfred Super League
Toulouse (16) 28
Tries: Ulberg, Polselli, Toleafoa, Jussaume, Tropis Goals: Rouge 4
Bradford (6) 18
Tries: Atkin, Ackers, Leake Goals: Hooley 3
Bradford Bulls remain two points adrift at the foot of the Super League after falling short in a spirited comeback attempt against Toulouse Olympique at Stade Ernest-Wallon.
With head coach Kurt Haggerty only able to name a 17-player squad because of injuries and suspensions, Bradford seemed set for another heavy defeat when the French side moved 10-0 in front after 17 minutes through Paul Ulberg and Luke Polselli's tries.
Chris Atkin replied for the visitors after Riley Dean's scintillating run, but John Toleafoa's first try of the season restored Toulouse's 10-point lead at half-time.
Andy Ackers deservedly touched down as Bradford bossed much of the second half, reducing the deficit to four points until Mathieu Jussaume and Romeo Tropis scored for the French club in the final seven minutes.
Academy graduate Alfie Leake produced his first senior try in the 80th minute for Bradford, who host 10th-placed Castleford Tigers on Thursday.
They then visit York Knights, who currently sit second bottom after their defeat by Wakefield Trinity - a week later.
The victory was the ninth of the season for ninth-placed Toulouse, who host Hull FC on Friday before finishing their season at Warrington Wolves a week later.
- Warrington retain top-two hopes with win at Hull FC
- Wakefield secure play-off place with win over York
Haggerty had vowed Bradford would be competitive despite being without 17 first-team players. Injuries to Ethan Ryan, Dan Russell, Joe Keyes and Zac Fulton in the defeat at Leigh Leopards eight days earlier, along with Loghan Lewis' ban, had further depleted his options.
Vice-captain Ryan Sutton and winger Connor Wynne returned from injury, while Leake made his third appearance from the bench and fellow youngster Harvey Ward came on for his debut.
Toulouse's dominant start made Bradford's task look all the more foreboding, with Cesar Rouge's kicking immediately causing problems and allowing Ethan Quai-Ward to set up Toleafoa's try.
After Ulberg powered over and Tropis escaped the clutches of Luke Hooley to feed Polselli as part of a three-on-one attack, Dean's brilliant fleet-footedness to set up Atkin set the tone for Bradford's performance after the restart.
Dean was twice stopped near the line, although Sutton and Peposhi intervened in between to stop Toleafoa before Maxime Stefani's knock-on put Toulouse on the back foot.
Ackers dummied his markers to put his side within striking distance of levelling the scores, but Jussaume's 16th try of the season and Tropis' score to complete a team move ensured Toulouse avenged their defeat at Bradford in March.
Toulouse: Polselli; Laguerre, Tropis, Quai-Ward, Ulberg; Lacans, Rouge; Belmas, Hands, Roumanos, Stefani, Jussaume, Cator.
Interchanges: Marion, Chan, Toleafoa, Wallace.
Bradford: Aekins; Okunbor, Hooley, Blake, Wynne; Dean, Atkin; Sutton, Ackers, Scurr, Gardiner, Peposhi, Mellor.
Interchanges: Gill, Ruan, Leake, Ward.
Referee: Matty Lynn.
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