BULLS BATTLE TO FESTIVE DERBY WIN

The Eamon O’Carroll era got off to a winning start as Bradford Bulls beat Halifax Panthers 24-16 in atrocious conditIons at Odsal Stadium this afternoon.

The new Bradford boss named debutants Mitch Souter, Daniel Smith and Will Oakes in his starting line up but it was a familiar face who scored the first try.

Former Fax man Chester Butler burst onto a crash ball from Lee Gaskell and he could not be stopped en route to finishing under the sticks.

The Bulls were buoyed by that opening score and the boot of Jordan Lilley created the next Bradford score, with Brad England pouncing on a loose ball.

Then came a spectacular third, a move that started inside the home side’s half saw Taufua race down the flank before a number of passes inside made their way to George Flanagan who slid over. 

Both sides began to ring the changes and Bradford’s third try scorer found himself in the sin bin. 

The visitors took full advantage of their extra man, Ben Tibbs scoring first before James Woodburn-Hall on the hooter. 

Greg Eden capitalised on an error at the start of the second half to bring the scores within two.

The Panthers threw everything at the Bulls defence, who found themselves defending their own line for the majority of the second half. 

But their heroic efforts in defence were rewarded when a venture up field saw a neat move on the right send Jayden Myers over to seal the festive spoils. 

BRADFORD BULLS: Billy Jowitt, Will Oakes, Jayden Myers, Kieran Gill, Jorge Taufua, Lee Gaskell, Jordan Lilley, Daniel Smith, Mitch Souter, Michael Lawrence, Brad England, Chester Butler, Sam Hallas. INTERCHANGES: Keven Appo, Eribe Doro, George Flanagan, Jamie Gill, Jaden Barraclough, Will Adams, Dom Waites, Eliot Peposhi, Daniel Moss, Aidan McGowan. 

TRIES: Butler, England, Flanagan, Myers

GOALS: Lilley 3/3, Jowitt 1/1