HALIFAX MATCH REPORT

Bradford Bulls fell to a 26-0 defeat at the hands of Halifax Panthers in the fifth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup last night.

Jack Walker and Chester Butler both returned to the side following respective injuries – with Jason Qareqare making his Bradford debut following his loan spell from Castleford Tigers.

The home side were seeking revenge for the Bulls’ 26-22 win just twelve days prior and quickly set about stamping their authority on proceedings.

Louis Jouffret and Matty Gee combined – with the former dotting down in the right corner. 

Bradford looked to be battling back into proceedings and enjoyed possession on the Panthers’ line, despite losing Tom Holmes to a knee injury early on. 

Despite that pressure, it would be the home side to next trouble the scoreboard. Jouffret again touching down on the back of a break down the centre. 

With half-time closing in, Jouffret broke and was superbly tackled by Walker, but on the next play the ball was spread wide to Saltonstall who scored in the right corner. 

Halifax scored again soon after, Jouffret’s cut out ball putting Maizen through on the left edge.

The second half saw Bradford again with numerous spells in Fax territory but they could not break down a resilient home defence. 

The only score after the break came from the home side, and a move on the right edge sent Saltonstall over for his second of the game. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Jack Walker, Ben Blackmore, Jayden Myers, Kieran Gill, Jason Qareqare, Tom Holmes, Dec Patton, Ebon Scurr, Jordan Lilley, Fenton Rogers, Keven Appo, Bodene Thompson, Chester Butler. INTERCHANGES: Josh Johnson, Rob Butler, Billy Jowitt, Brad Foster. 18^th MAN: Jansin Turgut.