OSCAR Thomas admits the Bulls must learn how to close out games quickly to stand a fighting chance in the Championship.

Two losses to open the season have left them still marooned on minus 12 following their points punishment from the Rugby Football League.

Sunday's home defeat to Rochdale was particularly painful after the Bulls had led at half-time, before they were restricted to just one penalty after the break in tough conditions.

Full back Thomas, who scored ten of Bradford's tally in the 22-14 setback, said: "It's tough to have the lead and let it slip. We should have taken it towards the final whistle and killed the game off.

"We should have played it differently towards the back end of the game – but we also had our chances in the first half and early in the second when we should have scored more points.

"It's tough to take but we'll look at it throughout the week and see what we can do better.

"Before you start winning, the performances have got to be there first. It's in our grasp but we've got to learn to close these games up."

With such a young side, Thomas knows the Bulls must adapt to performing in the tricky weather conditions they will encounter early in the campaign.

Snow before the fixture made the pitch tough on their return to Odsal and the game itself was littered with handling errors.

Thomas said: "The weather played a big part. When it's like that you can't throw the ball around and the backs tend to get a bit cold.

"In conditions like that, you're carrying the ball and sometimes it just pops out. Your grip is not there.

"But you've got to be able to play in all different types of conditions, so that's something else we've got to work on going forward.

"We're going to have to adapt to that and get some wins going – and hopefully soon as well."