Tries coming thick and fast now as Bulls get it together more, and Halifax tire

It's currently 38-8

Try for Whitehead, goaled by Ah Van

44-8

Sounding good. Just got back from shopping in Leeds. Not happy.

I feel your pain Debaser, I'd rather be at Odsal



Anyway, its 50-8 now

GAME OVER

Bulls 48 Halifax 8

(not sure how they said it was 50-8 and then it ended up 48-8, but that's BCB for you eh?

)

It finished 50-8. Scoreboard mix up apparently.

Good result. Sounds like an excellent second half.

someone can't add up?

Wow! Just got back from the game and I'm in the process of thawing out, but that was definitely worth it. A pretty good turn out for Langers from both sets of fans, kudos to the Halifax lot!
As for the game, I don't know about anyone else, but the most important and impressive part of our performance today was the enterprising brand of rugby we played. It was enjoyable to watch, unpredictable at times and was umpteen times better than the predictable, boring droll we've been served up over the last couple of years. You can seriously tell we've a proper coach in charge who knows what he's doing. What a refreshing change!

As for player performances, the obvious stand out is Marc Herbert. Orford who? What a player this lad looks to be, controlled the game, directed the Bulls round the park and had a superb kicking game. Had a hand in most of the tries, some of which were impressive to watch! I thought Shaun Ainscough did well too, his centre let him down a few times but he didn't panic when Fax came at him, and he saved a couple of tries. Heath was, as ever, class, and kudos to Craig Kopzcak. He really set the game up for us early on, and when Halifax were tiring late on, he punched some serious holes in their defence. Big year ahead hopefully for the youngster! John Bateman also impressed me seriously.

All in all, not getting uber carried away, but plenty to look forward to in a new era! Especially with Diskin, Scruton, Elima, Kearney, Donno and maybe another new signing to come in!

A real positive start to our season with plenty of reasons to be confident of a more successful year ahead.

After a fairly slow start we soon began to find some combinations with Herbert leading the side at 7. I thought it was an impressive start from Marc who put in some lovely short kicks. He looked lively with ball in hand and even showed off some neat passing skills despite the near freezing cold temperatures. I thought Ainscough and Raynor were a breath of fresh air compared to last year and both made decent yards. Ainscough must be the quickest winger we've had for some time?

Ah Van looked the much better goal kicker between him and Herbie and I think only missed one conversion from the touchline? Seems he likes to wear his socks 'Shontayne' style, let's hope he can be as successful!!
Royston combined well from the back and made a couple of good breaks.

I thought Bateman had a great game and was a real handful for the Halifax defence. He might well be the next young player to force himself into 1st team reckoning.

One or two lapses in defence on the flanks will be something that Potter will be looking to improve but with so many new partnerships it will take some time for that understanding to develop. Great start though.. the next two weeks cannot pass quick enough now!

Pretty much agree with all of that. It was mainly Walker IMO, who had a few rush of bloods to the head and jumped out of the line, but thats what these friendlies are for to get people playing together!

Game of two halves. Fax were pretty good in the first half, and we went in 10-8 up in what seemed like a re-run of so many games last year I thought. Defensive lapses looked a bit of a worry.

Second half we were dominant right from the start and just let rip with increasingly enterprising play as the combinations started to gel. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Herbert looked the part as the game wore on - we seemed a bit lacking in direction earlier but then things started to gel more I thought? Love Ah Van's kicking style! Nice and slow and just lops it...with precision. Right from when he lopped that ball over their defence and it stood up just short of the dead ball line. Never seen a ball kicked for goal travel so slow...but accurately.

Seeing real pace on the wings, especially Ainscough, was a sight to behold - we don't DO pace out at wide at Bradford, do we? Thought Bateman (sponsored by RAB...

) looked promising. OK, Fax tired as the game wore on, but I think most people left the ground feeling moderately cheerful?

AND, boys and girls...the beer is down to £2.50 a pint!!! And I was given to understand that is where it is staying! The club clearly took on board what we said last year. Shame I was driving



Decent turnout for Jamie, and good to see the fax playing their part.

Looking forward to Dewsbury.

I was told it WILL be staying the same all season. The club are trying to compete with the likes of the Top House, Cue Gardens et al, and rightly so. If the weathers nice, the academy are playing, why sit in the pub when you can have beer at cheaper prices inside the ground?

Absolutely. I thought he looked strong carrying the ball though, he's the sort of player that defences will need to get number into the tackle to stop. If he can get Ainy into some space then they might have the makings of a successful partnership.

Really enjoyed the game today. A promising start, Fax are no mugs and we were missing a fair few 1st choice players. Liked the look of Ah Van, a real intelligent player. Can see him starting in the centre with Walker. Koppy looked really fit and ready to go. Some neat offloads from him aswell. John Bateman was out of this world, very skillful and alert. Burgess played well too. Not sure about O'Brian, cant see what the fuss about him is. His passing was poor and slow. Sibbit also looked good. Potter will have some tough decisions to make when its crunch time. I know what I would go with though.

Oh, and my life is now complete.

I met Gledhill for the first time today.

OK, we all know - HE knows - the world knows - he can be a right total wassock on here. Internet persona notwithstanding.

But he did the commentary for the disabled supporters today - as a volunteer. And, from what several of them told me, did an outstanding and very professional job, and they were very grateful for his efforts. They suggested I have a listen in next time, to see. And sounds like Mick enjoyed doing it.

Its a funny old world, is it not? And maybe there is a bit of a moral somewhere?

Bradford 50-8 Halifax

Bradford Tries:
Raynor (9), L'Estrange 2 (23, 66), Herbert (42), Bateman (49), Crookes (56), Royston (61), Whitehead (71), Platt (75)

Bradford Goals:
Herbert 1/2, Ah Van 6/7

Halifax Tries:
Penkywicz (34), Chandler (37)

Halifax Goals:
Patterson 0/2

Half Time: Bradford 10-8 Halifax
Penalties: Bradford 10-5 Halifax
GLDO: Bradford 0-5 Halifax

Referee: Clint Sharrad (Leeds)
Attendance: 4,607

Mick is a top boy.
Good job Mick.

Very impressive first performance from Potter's side.

Very impressed with Herbert - he looks quick, good passing and a decent kicking game. Hope he keeps it up.

Ainscough & Raynor both impressed me too, Raynor went looking for alot of work - I think he really wants to prove himself.

John Bateman looks a very exciting prospect, took his try really well and set up another good one. Only 16!!! I can see him getting a few games under his belt as he didn't look out of place. With him Donno & Addy competing for the 13 shirt over the next few years it will be an exciting time!

I'm definitely looking forward to the season now as we were able to put in a great performance without Kearney, Diskin, Elima, Scruton who could all be considered key players.

Ah Van looks like a laidback player, but he knows when to spring into action. His kicking style is very relaxed and he makes it look easy. Like Bulls4champs, I think him and Walker will be our 2 centres, although Platt had a good game too. I don't think Ah Van did too badly when shifted to Stand-off either.

Sounds really good. It's a shame I couldn't make it. Looking forward to the next one.

How good was young John Bateman and Liam McAvoy?

Jesus wept I was shocked at how well they adapted to the game and IMO played beyond their years.

And £2.50 a pint?


Nice one.

I can't believe Bateman is only 16 - he certainly has some class and didn't look out of place whatsoever.

Langley will be happy with getting 4,600 in the ground when many didn't know if the game would go ahead.

I can see potential in Walker/Ainscough for sure. Thought Platty did well too and Raynor as things progressed. Can't see Halley getting a game with that lot and Ah Van around.

As has been said already I think, liked the look of Koppy too and Sibbett looked to have something he intended to prove.

When Ah Van first ran out, first reaction was "OMG Rikki is back!" Thankfully the comparisons are limited to appearance from afar. I think we are going to like him.