Bradford Bulls delivered a spectacular performance in the first half, crossing the try line five times and ultimately ending a dismal seven‑match losing streak with a 32‑22 win against the Castleford Tigers. The win marked a turning point for a side that had been languishing at the foot of the Betfred Super League table since a winless spell that began on July 10.
By the 19th minute, the Bulls had surged ahead to an 18‑0 lead, thanks to early scores from Riley Dean, Connor Wynne and Caleb Aekins. The momentum continued as Dan Russell and Waqa Blake added their own tries before the interval, pushing the score further in Bradford’s favour. Although Castleford managed a brief rally, the Bulls’ dominance was reaffirmed when Ebon Scurr crossed for his sixth try of the match at the 52‑minute mark, keeping the club’s hopes of escaping the dreaded wooden spoon alive as they look ahead to a season‑ending clash against 13th‑placed York next Thursday. Head coach Kurt Haggerty admitted that his squad had spent the week discussing the uncomfortable possibility of finishing at the bottom of the league.
That conversation seemed to ignite an immediate response on the field. Riley Dean, for instance, powered his way under the posts just five minutes into the game, setting the tone for what would become a prolific attacking display.
Eight minutes later, Connor Wynne dived into the corner to add another try, and soon after Caleb Aekins completed the trio of early scores. Even though Castleford’s Louis Senior managed to get his side on the scoreboard, Bradford continued to pile on the pressure. The first half climaxed when Chris Atkin delivered a precise pass to Dan Russell for a try in the 34th minute, followed shortly by Waqa Blake beating the final whistle with his own effort.
These two scores cemented a commanding 26‑4 lead at halftime, a margin that would prove difficult for the Tigers to overcome. Castleford attempted to claw back into the contest when Krystian Mapapalangi capitalised on a well‑timed grubber kick, reducing the deficit. However, the Bulls responded swiftly; Ebon Scurr, operating close to the try line, bundled over for another try, delighting the home crowd at Odsal Stadium.
Atkin added a fourth successful conversion, extending the lead further. In the second half, Castleford managed to collect a pair of consolation points through Alex Mellor and a second try from Mapapalangi, but the Bulls’ dominance was never truly threatened.
Their defensive resilience and continued attacking flair ensured they maintained control until the final whistle, securing their first home victory in three months. The win also has broader implications for the bottom‑of‑the‑table battle. With the triumph, Bradford now sit level on 14 points with York, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC. All three of those rivals have fixtures scheduled over the upcoming weekend, meaning the final positions at the very bottom of the Super League table will be decided in the closing days of the regular season, which wraps up next week.
Beyond the on‑field action, the broadcast arrangements for the league remain an important part of the fan experience. Sky Sports continues to provide live coverage of every Super League game throughout the season, offering two exclusive live matches each round. The remaining five games each round are available via Sky Sports+, ensuring that supporters can follow the action no matter where they are.
Overall, Bradford’s emphatic win over Castleford not only halted a painful losing streak but also injected much‑needed confidence into a squad that had been struggling for form and results. The combination of early aggression, clinical finishing, and a solid defensive effort demonstrated that the Bulls are capable of competing at a higher level, even when the odds appear stacked against them.
As the season draws to a close, the team will look to build on this performance, aiming to secure a respectable league finish and avoid the ignominy of finishing at the very bottom of the Super League table.