FIVE wins from 15 games in the Kingstone Press Championship this campaign have reduced the Bulls' points deficit to minus two, but the threat of relegation is still ever-present with the side six points adrift of nearest strugglers – and this weekend's opponents – Dewsbury. Jonny Whitfield reviews a rollercoaster season so far....

Round one – Hull KR 54-24 Bulls, February 5:

Bulls started life as a new club with perhaps their toughest test of the season as they lost by 30 points to a recently-relegated Hull KR side brimming with Super League experience. The away side had experience of their own after signing Leeds half-back Jordan Lilley on loan, who started alongside veteran Leon Pryce. But to score four converted tries against a side only condemned to the Championship with a last-minute drop goal was a real sign of intent from the visitors and interim head coach Leigh Beattie.

Round two – Bulls 14-22 Rochdale Hornets, February 12:

Bulls' first home encounter resulted in an eight-point loss to newly-promoted Rochdale Hornets, who made it two wins from two in the second tier. But the hosts led 12-8 at half time, by which time six different players were on the scoring records for the season, including youngsters Liam Kirk and James Bentley, although their efforts weren't enough as the Hornets made sure of the win with five goals from stand-off Lewis Palfrey.

Round three – Swinton Lions 28-35 Bulls, February 19:

Twenty-one-year-old Ethan Ryan scored a hat-trick of tries in round three as Bradford secured their first win of the campaign against Swinton at Heywood Road. Loan signing from Castleford Kevin Larroyer made his first appearance of the season as full-back Oscar Thomas scored for the second successive weekend and also slotted a drop goal to make sure of victory.

Round four – Bulls 29-22 Toulouse Olympique, February 26:

Thomas would feature prominently with the boot once more eight days later, slotting a second drop goal in as many games as Bulls overcame Toulouse at Odsal. Winger Ryan took his tally to four for the season with another finish in the corner, while hooker Scott Moore touched down as the home side moved to minus eight points.

Round five – London Broncos 42-12 Bulls, March 5:

Two successive wins had instilled confidence within the Bulls, but a tough test in the capital saw the club lose by 30 points for the second time in 2017 – this time to London. The Broncos, a side with talent such as former Hull KR full-back Kieran Dixon and ex-Bull Jarrod Sammut, ran in seven tries, all converted by the Australian, as the visitors struggled to compete. There were signs of progression, however, as Larroyer claimed his first score in a Bulls jersey.

Round six – Bulls 44-22 Batley Bulldogs, March 12:

Bulls responded to the defeat at London with a 22-point victory over Batley. While the scores were level at 18-18 at the break, Beattie's men restricted their opponents to just a Tom Holmes try in the second period. Centre Sam Smeaton was sin-binned for Batley after 51 minutes as Larroyer and Ryan continued their impressive try-scoring runs.

Challenge Cup Round Four – Featherstone Rovers 21-17 Bulls, March 19:

The reformed Bradford side exited the Challenge Cup in the fourth round with defeat at Featherstone. The sides exchanged drop goals as the scores stood at 7-7 until 68 minutes, when Jason Walton crossed for Featherstone to set up a home progression into the fifth round. Three more conversions and an Ian Hardman score sealed the win for the Rovers as Johnny Campbell tallied a late consolation for Bulls.

Round seven – Bulls 56-18 Dewsbury Rams, March 26:

A third home tie of the campaign saw Bulls eclipse their achievements so far with their biggest win of the season – a 56-18 rout against Dewsbury. The previous win over Batley displayed the club's ability to keep out the opposition and pile up the points at the other end and Beattie's side gave more of the same as a 44-4 second period scoreline saw Bulls do in 40 minutes to Dewsbury what they did in 80 against the Bulldogs.

Round eight – Oldham Roughyeds 26-22 Bulls, April 2:

Bradford could not capitalise on their Dewsbury demolition as they were left frustrated by Oldham at Bower Fold. Bulls led 14-12 at the break and once again at 22-20 with ten minutes left, but a Keiron Gill try in the final minute condemned the visitors to a fourth defeat of the season. Bentley and Ryan both crossed for the away side whose errors ultimately cost them victory.

Round nine – Bulls 48-16 Sheffield Eagles, April 9:

It was becoming apparent that Bradford's home form would be crucial, with three of their accumulated wins coming at Odsal – two of which included the romps over Batley and Dewsbury. Round nine was no different as Sheffield were the latest team to be put to the sword at the ground – youngster Bentley tallied four tries as his efforts took Bulls to minus two points.

Round 10 – Bulls 12-22 Halifax, April 14:

Bradford headed into the Easter Weekend knowing that this could be the perfect time to play rivals Fax, a strong contender for the top four, at Odsal. But their home form dipped and Bulls failed to wipe clean the deficit, heading into the interval without recording a point. Halifax winger James Saltonstall maintained his impressive stats for the season with a brace while Ryan responded for Bradford.

Round 11 – Featherstone Rovers 44-18 Bulls, April 17:

The Easter Bank Holiday bonanza failed to live up to expectations for Bradford as they slipped to a second 40 minutes without a single point, this time at Featherstone. The hosts racked up 38 of their own in that time as Bulls were without Leon Pryce and Colton Roche – who were injured against Fax – as well as Lilley after he was recalled by Leeds Rhinos for the busy Easter schedule. Bradford won the second half but the damage had already been done in a crippling first period.

Round 12 – Toulouse Olympique 60-4 Bulls, April 29:

The misery continued for the West Yorkshire side as they were beaten 60-4 by Toulouse in the south of France. James Davies' effort in the first half was Bulls' only score, with fellow youngsters Matthew Storton and Brandon Pickersgill adding to his side's effort. But the defeat signalled a significant downturn in form for Bradford who had not won in three, only scoring in one half of each defeat.

Round 13 – Sheffield Eagles 52-16 Bulls, May 7:

Frighteningly, the absence of points in at least one half of rugby league was becoming the norm for the Bulls, whose dreadful recent form meant almost 70 minutes passed before Bradford sparked into life with three late tries. But, similar to recent defeats, late efforts proved to be mere consolations as the Eagles got revenge for their hammering by Bradford at Odsal earlier in the campaign.

Round 14 – Bulls 12-56 London Broncos, May 21:

The reverse fixtures continued as London Broncos became the first side to record a league double over Bradford – this time in devastating fashion as Bulls' home form took its biggest hit yet. Keiran Dixon, who grabbed a try against his opponents in round five, took his tally against Bradford to five with four tries that inspired the Broncos to victory at Odsal.

Round 15 – Hull KR 20-19 Bulls, May 27:

Following the news of skipper Leon Pryce's retirement, Dane Chisholm made his first appearance for Bulls at Blackpool's Summer Bash since re-joining the club from Sheffield. And the Aussie inspired Bradford to their best performance in six weeks, despite it not being enough to overcome table-toppers Hull KR. Chisholm was caught up in a transfer wrangle after returning on April 13, but he scored one of his side's three tries and a drop goal to push the Robins all the way.