MATCH REPORT | ACADEMY VS WIGAN

Bradford Bulls Under-18's fell to a 44-6 defeat against a strong Wigan Warriors outfit at Odsal Stadium last night.

The Young Bulls started strongly and went close to opening the scoring through Prashat Veerasamy but the visitors went up the other end to break the deadlock soon after through Kian McDermott.

Buoyed by the early score, Nathan Lowe outjumped his opposite number for a second Wigan try before Tom Ratchford broke Bradford resilience towards the end of the first quarter.

Maddox Jeffrey extended the visitors' advantage before Trent Kelly-Duffy and Noah Hodkinson tries gave Wigan a 36-0 lead at the break. 

Our Young Bulls came out of the traps flying for the second half and got on the scoresheet when Jacob Bateman collected George Flanagan Jnr's grubber kick in behind. 

George O'Loughlin and Joe Tyrer both scored late tries for the visitors, despite a much improved second half showing from Leigh Beattie's side, who showcased resilience and endeavour to match their opponents. 

BRADFORD BULLS ACADEMY: George Flanagan Jnr, Joel Lincoln, Prash Veerasamy, George West, Connor Sayner, Josh Perkins, Harry Milnes, Jamie Gill, Sam Ackroyd, Kiernan Tierney, Jacob Bateman, Jake Goldthorpe-Smith, Lewis Magson. INTERCHANGES: George Rayner, Conlan Mawson, Louis Beattie, Kieran Blan. 18th MAN: Dan Fretwell.

TRIES: Bateman

GOALS: Flanagan Jnr 1/1