BULLS TAME TIGERS

Bradford Bulls booked a place in the fourth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup with a heroic 18-16 victory over Super League outfit Castleford Tigers.

Brian Noble named the same side that beat Doncaster in Round Two, where James Donaldson got the Bulls off to a lightning quick start. 

Lightning struck twice at Bartercard Odsal, when after just five minutes, our Number 13 crashed over on the powerplay for the opening score. 

Bradford were the dominant side in the opening quarter and their second try came soon after. 

Matty Gee dotted down for his first in the red, amber and black, latching onto a neat grubber from Joe Keyes. 

James Meadows successfully converted a penalty from 40 metres to kick Bradford 12 points ahead. 

Keyes nudged the Bulls further ahead with a drop goal, with Castleford looking for a way back into the contest. 

With their first real set on the hosts’ line, Holmes collected a grubber and raced the length of the field to extend Bradford’s advantage.

The Tigers upped their intensity in the second half and got two quick fire tries to set up a nervy finale. 

Jeremiah Simbiken latched onto a grubber by the posts before Josh Simm picked up a loose ball and matched Holmes’ feat to bring Cas back within a try. 

Jordan Lilley, who replaced Joe Keyes at the break, slotted another drop goal over to take the Bulls a converted try ahead. 

With less than two minutes on the clock, Tex Hoy sliced through the Bulls defence to reduce the deficit to two points. 

The following conversion attempt went wide and the hooter sounded. Bradford produced a giant killing. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Tom Holmes, Jayden Okunbor, Waqa Blake, Kieran Gill, Jorge Taufua, James Meadows, Michael Lawrence, Mitch Souter, Ebon Scurr, Zac Fulton, Matty Gee, James Donaldson. INTERCHANGES: Logan Bayliss, Ronan Michael, Jordan Lilley, Franklin Pele. 

TRIES: Donaldson, Holmes, Gee

GOALS: Keyes 0/1, Meadows 2/3

DROP GOALS: Keyes, Lilley