YOUNG BULLS COMEBACK IN VAIN

Bradford Bulls Academy produced a stunning second-half comeback but fell to a narrow 32-30 defeat at the hands of Castleford Tigers last night.

The Tigers flew out of the blocks and scored on the opening set of the game, with Alfie Wall grounding a kick in the corner. 

Castleford looked to add to their early lead but Sam Ackroyd read the play, intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field to touch down.

That was as good as it got in the first half, with Fletcher Rooney, Jacob Hall (2) and Sam Darley scoring for the 'Fords.

Ackroyd turned provider as the Young Bulls set about getting back into the contest, his kick to the corner was claimed and grounded by Will Smith. 

Ackroyd was back on the scoresheet soon after, when George Flanagan Jnr's kick in behind was grounded superbly by the half back.

The Bulls were rampant and closed the gap when Flanagan Jnr darted through a gap to score in the corner.

Castleford would put a temporary halt to Bradford's come back through Hall's hat trick score but there was plenty of fight left in the #BullsNextGen. 

Powerful forward Jamie Gill crashed over from close range to bring the Bulls within six, and Bradford pressure told when Connor Sayner dived over in the corner. The conversion went wide however, with Castleford taking home a narrow victory.

BRADFORD BULLS: George Flanagan Jnr, Connor Sayner, Will Smith, George Rayner, Waldimar Matahwa, Sam Ackroyd, Harry Milnes, Jamie Gill, David Benson, Lewis Hough, Eddie Salkeld, Jacob Bateman, Conlan Mawson. INTERCHANGES: Joe Dyson-Sanderson, Jake Goldthorpe-Smith, Tobias Gibson, Josh Perkins. 18th MAN: Aiden Wright.

TRIES: Ackroyd (2), Sayner, Smith, Flanagan Jnr, Gill.