Bradford Bulls delivered a dominant performance in the first half, crossing the try line five times and ultimately breaking a seven‑match losing streak with a 32‑22 win against the Castleford Tigers. The Bulls had been languishing at the very bottom of the Betfred Super League table, enduring a winless spell that stretched back to July 10.
Yet, by the 19‑minute mark they were already leading 18‑0, thanks to early scores from Riley Dean, Connor Wynne and Caleb Aekins. The early onslaught set the tone for what would become a decisive half.
Dan Russell and Waqa Blake each added a try before the interval, extending the lead further. Castleford managed to claw back a few points, but the Bulls’ momentum was unstoppable. Midway through the second half, Ebon Scurr secured a sixth try for Bradford after 52 minutes, reinforcing the club’s hopes of escaping the dreaded wooden spoon as they head into the final round of the season against 13th‑placed York.
Head coach Kurt Haggerty disclosed that the squad had spent the week discussing the uncomfortable possibility of finishing at the very bottom of the league. That conversation appeared to galvanise the players, with Riley Dean scoring under the posts just five minutes into the game.
Eight minutes later, Connor Wynne dived over in the corner, and shortly after, Caleb Aekins completed his own try, further widening the gap. Although Castleford’s Louis Senior managed to get his side on the scoreboard, the Bulls answered emphatically when Chris Atkin supplied a perfect pass to Dan Russell for a 34‑minute try, followed by Waqa Blake’s try just before the half‑time whistle. By the break, Bradford enjoyed a comfortable 26‑4 lead. The Tigers tried to mount a comeback, with Krystian Mapapalangi capitalising on a grubber kick to narrow the margin, but the Bulls responded swiftly.
Ebon Scurr powered over from close range, delighting the home crowd at Odsal Stadium. Atkin then added a fourth successful conversion, extending the lead even further. Castleford managed to pick up consolation points through tries from Alex Mellor and a second effort by Mapapalangi, but the Bulls held firm and secured their first home win in three months. The victory not only halted a dismal run but also lifted Bradford to a tie on 14 points with York, Huddersfield Giants and Hull FC.
All three of those teams still have matches to play this weekend before the regular Super League season concludes next week, meaning the final standings remain very much in flux. Beyond the on‑field drama, the broadcast arrangements for the Super League this season have been noteworthy.
Sky Sports has committed to showing every game live, with two matches each round being broadcast exclusively live. The remaining five matches each round are available on Sky Sports+, giving fans multiple avenues to follow their clubs throughout the campaign. The significance of this win for Bradford cannot be overstated.
After a prolonged period of poor form, the team displayed a level of confidence and execution that had been missing for months. Their early tries demonstrated a blend of speed, precision passing, and effective support play. Riley Dean’s ability to find space under the posts early on set a psychological edge, while Connor Wynne’s agility in the corner highlighted the Bulls’ versatility in attack. Caleb Aekins’ try, coming shortly after Wynne’s, reinforced the team’s capacity to finish scoring opportunities quickly and efficiently.
The second‑half try from Ebon Scurr was particularly important, as it came at a moment when Castleford began to gain some momentum. By extending the lead beyond a two‑try margin, the Bulls ensured that any late surge from the Tigers would be insufficient to overturn the result.
The disciplined defensive work in the latter stages of the game, combined with accurate goal‑kicking from Atkin, helped maintain a comfortable buffer. Coach Haggerty’s remarks about the discussion surrounding the possibility of finishing bottom reflect a pragmatic approach to adversity. By confronting the issue head‑on, the players seemed to channel any anxiety into performance.
This mental shift was evident in the early scoring burst and the sustained intensity throughout the match. Looking ahead, Bradford’s next challenge is the final round against York, a team currently positioned 13th. Both sides are tied on points, making the outcome of that fixture crucial for determining who will ultimately finish at the very bottom of the league. The Bulls will aim to build on the confidence generated at Odsal, while York will be looking to capitalize on any slip‑ups.
In summary, the 32‑22 triumph over Castleford marked a turning point for the Bradford Bulls. It halted a seven‑game losing streak, lifted the club out of the bottom‑of‑the‑table position, and provided a morale boost ahead of a decisive season‑ending clash. The combination of early attacking flair, solid defensive work, and strategic coaching adjustments all contributed to a performance that will be remembered by the Odsal faithful as a key step toward rebuilding the club’s fortunes in the Super League.