LEON Pryce has called on the Bulls to bring in some experienced players for the Kingstone Press Championship season.

The 35-year-old was part of the Bradford side that lost their Joe Phillips Memorial Trophy clash 25-24 at Keighley on Sunday and admitted: "We need some senior boys now to handle the situation."

Pryce is about ten years older than the Bulls' next oldest squad member Omari Caro and wanted to put some balance on their narrow defeat.

"We were 12 points in front with 20 minutes to go and we probably gave them their points, rather than them creating any chances, so that was really disappointing," he said.

"We didn't close the game out at all – but we are a very young team and that is what happens when you have a young team. It is easy to be critical but we are learning and we have just had a change of coach."

Pryce may be in the twilight of a career that started with his Bulls debut in 1998 but the winning mentality still burns bright in the veteran ahead of their Championship opener at Hull KR on Sunday.

Happy to fulfil the role of father figure to the youngsters, he said: "I am proud to be back in Bradford but I am not here to lose, even though it was only a friendly. I would love to bring the lads on in training but I am absolutely gutted."

Doubtless his team-mates felt the same as they headed for the dressing rooms soon after the final whistle on Sunday, leaving the way open for the Cougars to be presented with the trophy by veteran TV broadcaster and journalist John Helm.