BULLS BATTLE AGAINST FEATHERSTONE

Bradford Bulls fell to a narrow 16-12 defeat at Featherstone Rovers in another competitive pre-season outing ahead of the start of the 2024 campaign.

Eamon O’Carroll welcomed Ebon Scurr, Ben Blackmore and Dan Okoro back into his matchday squad – with John Davies making his first appearance since his move from Featherstone to Bradford.

The home side opened the scoring on seven minutes when a short pass sent Brad Day over on Bradford’s right edge. 

The Bulls produced an instant response, when a flowing move through hands sent Jorge Taufua diving over in the left corner. 

Bradford grew into the game on the back of that score, playing up the slope but turning the screw. 

They would take the lead after the half hour mark when Lee Gaskell’s clever grubber was collected and grounded by Ben Blackmore. 

O’Carroll’s side made the perfect start to the second half when Taufua dived over superbly for his second of the contest. 

Featherstone responded when Thomas Lacans stepped and darted through the resulting gap in the Bradford defence.

The Bulls were then reduced to 12 men with Billy Jowitt sent to the sin bin, with the home side capitalising through Ollie Farrar, which proved to be the winning score. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Billy Jowitt, Ben Blackmore, Jayden Myers, Kieran Gill, Jorge Taufua, Lee Gaskell, Jordan Lilley, Eribe Doro, Mitch Souter, Dan Okoro, Chester Butler, John Davies, Sam Hallas. INTERCHANGES: Mckenzie Scurr, Will Adams, Joe Arundel, Keven Appo, Will Oakes, George Flanagan, Brad England, Jaden Barraclough, Daniel Moss, Dominic Waites, Sam Ackroyd, Ebon Scurr. 

TRIES: Taufua (2), Blackmore

GOALS: Jowitt (0/2), Lilley (0/1)