ANYONE forecasting a grey future for the Bulls after the gloom of their recent slump would have been cheered immensely by the unmistakable shafts of sunlight that illuminated Dewsbury on Sunday.

Kris Welham hogged the headlines with his five tries and Omari Caro’s spectacular long-range scores were a reminder of rugby league’s ability to enthral and lift the spirits.

But the fact that such a comprehensive victory was achieved with a homegrown heart made it especially satisfying.

There were seven academy graduates on duty at the Tetley’s Stadium, which said much for a youth production system which continues to spawn top talent despite the wreckage caused by the club’s two spells in administration in recent times.

Danny Addy, Tom Olbison and Adam O’Brien have long since established themselves as mainstays in the first-team following their emergence through the youth ranks.

But the inclusion of Alex Mellor, Joe Lumb, Ethan Ryan and Ross Oakes was arguably even more significant.

Under-19s coach Matt Diskin picked the team after Jimmy Lowes was laid low and he rang the changes, putting his faith in youth and handing academy prospect Oakes a debut in the centres.

Diskin said: “Having seen the solid performance that Ross put in at the weekend, it should give the hierarchy the confidence to pick these academy lads more often.

“They are performing exceptionally well, week in and week out, for the Under-19s in a division where nobody really expects us to do anything.

“But we’re a very tough side to play against, defensively very strong, and I honestly think there are five or six from the Under-19s who are ready to push up and play a few games in the first-team.

“What is really encouraging is that the majority of them are really late developers, physically and skills-wise, which means they’re only going to get better.

“The troubles the club have had in the past five years did affect the academy structure and left a bit of a hole.

“But we're doing our damnedest to sort that out. Leigh Beattie is working hard with the Under-16s, myself with the Under-19s and John Bastian doing a fantastic job on the recruitment side.”

Mellor scored his first senior try for the club on Sunday with an exhilarating effort which saw him support Jay Pitts and outpace the Dewsbury defence to race clear.

Oakes and Ryan forged a solid centre-wing partnership on the right edge, while Lumb was picked ahead of O’Brien as the starting hooker, which underlined how highly he is rated.

Diskin added: “You have to admire Joe’s persistence and determination because he was turned away from the club two or three times before he got his final chance.

“He came in last year, did exceptionally well, and has thrived in a full-time environment.

“Every time I’ve seen him play this year, the energy and enthusiasm he has brought to the team’s performance has been infectious.

“When you have young lads in the team, it makes the older players accountable for looking after them and brings an energy which you could see in the performance at Dewsbury.”

Ryan and Lumb are out of contract at the end of this season but are not expected to be among a raft of potential departures from the first-team squad.

Diskin added: “We have got to restructure our squad because it is too big at the moment and that is creating a bottleneck which is limiting the chances for our young kids.

“I think the hierarchy are aware of that because we need to keep hold of these kids.

“If we don’t, I know for a fact that other clubs will take them because they are talented. As a club we are getting back to producing good quality juniors, but we need to give them an opportunity to play.”

Brandon Pickersgill also trained with the senior squad last week and was in the mix for the Dewsbury match.

When the Bulls beat Castleford in a pre-season friendly in January, half the team came from Diskin’s Under-19s side.

Luke Hooley and Liam Kirk scored tries in that victory and Pickersgill, Lumb, James Bentley and Ollie Bartle all came off the bench while young half-back Zac Baker is also highly regarded.

The most successful clubs have a homegrown core – take the great Leeds side who came through the academy together and laid the platform for a decade of unparalleled success.

Consider how well St Helens have done down the years with local lads such as Paul Wellens, Keiron Cunningham and James Roby.

When Saints won at Warrington last week, rookies such as Morgan Knowles and Jack Ashworth fully played their part.

Diskin, who came through the ranks at Headingley and helped Leeds to their first championship in 32 years in 2004, added: “Homegrown players have a real pride in the shirt and the club.

“That’s something everyone gets behind because there is nothing better than seeing lads who have come through your system thriving and I think it creates a real sense of unity.

“Players who come in from a different club do care and they are passionate about their performances.

“But when you are born and bred into a club, it gives you a different kind of accountability, something you are willing to fight that little bit extra for.

“I think we’ve got homegrown players who can make a massive difference.”