JAMES Bentley and Luke Hooley are eager for more first-team action following their senior Bradford debuts against Castleford.

The talented teenagers were among a batch of academy players who featured in last Friday’s 26-8 win at Odsal.

Under-19s starlets Brandon Pickersgill, Liam Kirk, Ollie Bartle, Bentley and Hooley all came off the bench to underline their talent.

Head coach Jimmy Lowes suggested afterwards that the academy prospects could push for more first-team action this season.

Hooley and Kirk were on the scoresheet against Castleford and second-rower Bentley caught the eye after coming on in the first half.

The former Oulton Raiders amateur, who signed for Bradford after spending his scholarship at Sunday's opponents Featherstone, said: “I wasn’t expecting to play until later in the game, so to come on in the first half was great.

“I’ve just turned 18 and I will be playing for the Under-19s this season but the goal is to stake a claim for a place in the first-team squad next year.

“I played in the second row against Castleford but I normally play loose forward and can play at hooker and centre too, so I offer utility value.

“It was great that so many of us young lads got a chance last week because we’re all mates and used to playing together.

“It shows that Jimmy is willing to trust us and give us an opportunity to play in the first team.

“My contract runs out at the end of this year, so I’m hoping to push for the first team and get another deal for next season.”

Hooley is a Dewsbury lad and has played at Dewsbury Celtic, Shaw Cross Sharks and Dewsbury Moor.

Having crossed the line against Castleford, Hooley said: “The likes of the Burgess boys and Matt Diskin have come from Dewsbury Moor, so there are plenty of former players to look up to and take inspiration from.

“I’m still young and still maturing, so my main aim this season is to get my head down and work hard, earn another contract for the Under-19s next year and hopefully move on from there to first grade under Jimmy.

“It’s just a dream at the moment and is moving too fast!

“You look up to players like Alex Mellor, Danny Addy and Adam O’Brien and it makes you think ‘I’d like to do that’. That’s certainly the aim.”