FIRST OUTING FOR THE BULLS

Bradford Bulls' first run out of 2022 ended with a narrow 28-22 pre-season defeat against Batley Bulldogs.

The home side got off to the perfect start – with Sam Scott and Steve Crossley scoring before a Batley response via Jonny Campbell and Lucas Walshaw.

Elliot Kear then got in on the act before George Senior handed Batley their first lead of the afternoon on the stroke of half time.

Luke Hooley pounced on a loose ball to extend that advantage before Dan Fleming crashed over from close range.

Campbell then got his second to take the game away from Bradford on an attritional afternoon at Odsal Stadium.

John Kear named a strong 23-man line up for the first pre-season outing – with the likes of Dec Patton, Kieran Gill and Scott making their first run outs in Bradford colours.

Two of the aforementioned debutants combined to give the home side an early advantage – Patton putting Scott through a gap to touch down.

Ant Walker then broke the Batley line and handed off to captain Crossley for a walk in.

The visitors grew into the game and hit back when a looping pass out wide sent Campbell over for his first of the contest.

The scores were level soon after when Gilmore’s chip was collected by a leaping Walshaw to stretch over and touch down.

Patton was instrumental in Bradford’s third – a miracle ball, one handed out to Kear re-established the Bulls’ advantage.

But back came Batley and having pounced on an error, Senior raced home prior to the interval.

The visitors started as they left off, when a high kick was allowed to bounce Hooley collected and dived over.

Bradford were not to be deterred however and Fleming was on hand to take a pass from Ebon Scurr to reduce the arrears.

Campbell kicked and collected to extend Batley’s lead in acrobatic fashion in the final act as conditions worsened.

BRADFORD BULLS – Joe Burton, Matty Dawson-Jones, Kieran Gill, Rhys Evans, Elliot Kear, Dec Patton, Billy Jowitt, Steve Crossley, George Flanagan, Ant Walker, AJ Wallace, Sam Scott, Ben Evans.

INTERCHANGES – Jordan Baldwinson, Thomas Doyle, Ebon Scurr, David Foggin-Johnston, Dan Fleming, Lewis Camden, Adam Horner, Sam Arundel, Ryan Forshaw.

TRIES – Scott, Crossley, Kear, Fleming

GOALS – Patton 3/4

BATLEY BULLDOGS – Luke Hooley, Perry Whiteley, Dale Morton, George Senior, Johnny Campbell, Benjamin White, Thomas Gilmore, Adam Gledhill, Oliver Burton, Toby Everett, Kieran Buchanan, Lucas Walshaw, James Brown.

INTERCHANGES – Jack Blagbrough, Connor Carr, Louis Collinson, Joshua Hodson, Michael Ward, Alistair Leak, Tom Lillycrop.

TRIES - Campbell (2), Walshaw, Hooley, Senior

GOALS – Gilmore 4/5