With both teams looking to put last weekend's disappointing results behind them, this was always going to be an interesting game at Grattan Odsal. Five days ago, the Bulls crashed to a big 38-6 defeat at home to St Helens with only Matt Orford troubling the scorers while 24 hours earlier a late charge from Warrington and Richie Myler in particular saw Castleford defeated at the Jungle.
As it turned out, Bradford returned to form at the third attempt, running in seven tries against their plucky rivals.
Former Leeds Rhinos prop Nick Scruton opened the score after 4 minutes with a strong and skilful 20 metre run to the try line that took him past two tacklers before a neat bit of footwork saw him evade Tigers fullback Ryan McGoldrick.
A few minutes later a second try fell Bradford's way when outstanding general Matt Orford kicked across field.Steve Menzies climbed higher than the Castleford defender and the veteran Australian put a brilliant pass out for Rikki Sheriffe to touch down at the corner.
Rangi Chase hauled Castleford back into contention with a kick that led to Michael Shenton claiming a try in the corner but Elliott Whitehead went over from Heath L'Estrange's pass and the Bulls replied a second time with a move as crisp as the night. Menzies combined with Paul Sykes and Brett Kearney finished from 30 metres for Orford to goal.
Craig Huby fashioned a try for Richard Owen which allowed Joe Westerman to convert from the touchline but the final word of the first half was with Orford who dropped a goal with seconds remaining.
Castleford started the second half well but when Dave Halley cleared his lines the Bulls marched ominously downfield. The Tigers then lost Richard Owen to a leg injury that was later confirmed as a break.
Finally 18 minutes into the second half, the first points arrived when Bradford went in for their fifth try. Orford fed Sykes who kicked forward for Sheriffe. He sidefooted inside for Halley to ground after some nifty ball control of his own. A disguised pass from Orford then unlocked the defence for a second Kearney try before two scores by Castleford closed the gap. Chase and McGoldrick combined to send Steve Snitch sailing over and Chase was again at the hub of things with a kick to the posts that bounced up for Ryan Hudson to ground.
Industrious Jamie Langley worked his socks off all evening and helped put Bradford in Castleford territory before Sykes had the final word for Bradford, taking Kearney's splitting pass. Although Orford couldn't convert, he kicked six conversions in total to loft the score to 41-22 at the final hooter.
Bradford (25) 41
Tries: Sykes, Whitehead, Kearney 2, Sheriffe, Halley, Scruton
Goals: Orford 6
Drop Goals: Orford
Castleford (12) 22
Tries: Hudson, Owen, Snitch, Shenton
Goals: Westerman 3
Attendance: 8,019
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