YOUTHFUL RESERVES VALIANT IN DEFEAT

A youthful reserves outfit suffered a marginal 16-14 defeat to League 1 side Midlands Hurricanes despite a last minute try at Odsal Stadium.

Mark Dunning’s side tested the visitors defence early on, with Charlie Harris collecting a kick to touch down. 

Midlands Hurricanes then had a spell of pressure themselves, Hayden Freeman acrobatically touching down in the corner. 

In the second half, Midlands took control with a quick-fire try from Travis O’Loughlin. 

Joe Burton touched down, but Midlands extended their lead soon after, with a consolation score for Bradford coming on the hooter via Jack Briggs. 

Mark Dunning brought in first teamers Samy Kibula and new signing Chester Butler for the final friendly before Reserves league action. 

Butler early on attacked the midlands defence, leaving space for a kick in-behind from Mail which allowed Harris to score his first for the club after signing from Castleford. 

The newly formed side showed their experience, as they controlled large parts of the half, with them making the pressure pay as Freeman went over before the break. 

After the half, Midlands turned up the heat, scoring again as O’Loughlin went over from dummy-half. 

Burton then scored an eye-catching try to bring the young Bradford side back into contention, but Midlands found another score before the end to push themselves further out in front. 

There was time for a consolation score on the hooter from Briggs, with the kick being missed meaning that a two-point margin was all that separated the sides. 

BRADFORD BULLS – Lewis Camden, Coby Nichol, Sam Arundel, Eldon Myers, Joe Burton, Taylor Mail, Charlie Harris, Adam Horner, Jaden Barraclough, Marcus Green, Chester Butler, Samy Kibula, Reece Ripley. 

INTERCHANGES – George Flanagan Jr, Will Adams, Jayden Myers, Myles Lawford, Liam Buffet, Lewis Hough, Jack Flanagan, Joe Kellett, Harry Gray, Jack Toulson, Bailey Arnold, Jack Briggs. 

MIDLANDS HURRICANES – Phil Cowburn, Hayden Freeman, Sean Croston, Liam Welham, Joshua Milthorpe, Brad Sheridan, Benn Hardcastle, Peter Ryan, Travis O’Loughlin, Russ Spiers, Jack Dawson, Jordan Bull, Tyler Walton. 

INTERCHANGES – Delaine Bedward, Adam Reed, Nathan Newbound, Matty Welham, James Phillips, David Scott.