THE Bulls are already turning their attentions to Rochdale Hornets after a “positive” start to the new campaign at Hull KR.

Little more than two weeks after the club’s rebirth under new owners, the Bulls kicked off their Kingstone Press Championship season yesterday with a 54-24 defeat on Humberside.

Watched again by head coach in waiting Geoff Toovey – who still awaits his visa – the young line-up produced a stirring effort against the much-fancied Robins.

Tries from Liam Kirk, Ross Oakes, Ethan Ryan and Iliess Macani ensured the battling Bulls went down fighting against Tim Sheens’ side, who dropped out of Super League last year.

Inspired by Jordan Lilley – one of a quartet of loan signings from Leeds Rhinos – the visitors even had the temerity to take a shock lead at the Lightstream Stadium when Kirk burrowed over the line.

Acting chief, and academy coach, Leigh Beattie was delighted with the efforts of a squad with an average age of just over 21.

He said: “We’re chuffed. Hull KR are a good side. They moved us around a bit in the first half so we tried to fix that up.

“But overall it was very positive for us and there is lots for us to build on there.

“We have a very young side but we saw the passion they have, and the kids on loan from Leeds have stepped in there as well and were outstanding. We can’t fault the efforts of any of the players.

“We got a little bit giddy at the start when we went ahead but it didn’t last too long.”

Explaining how the squad will prepare for their first home game of the season on Sunday against the Hornets, Beattie added: “We’ll get back on the training field this week – there’s plenty to work on so we’ll go through the video.

“They’ll be some tired blokes in our squad after that so we’ll fix them up first, and then we’ll go again.

“We’re a little off with our pre-season, so Hull KR looked slicker than us obviously, but with that effort and a bit more work we won’t be far off.”

Reacting to Rochdale’s opening 46-0 victory over Dewsbury Rams, he remarked: “Good – that’s more of a challenge for us, so bring it on.

“Like I said last week, we’re just going to keep ticking these off one by one – that’s all we can do.”