We are already one third of the way through Super League XIII and if the Bulls win tomorrow night they rise into second spot.

That will be a reassuring fact to hold on to for boss Steve McNamara, who knows his squad are still nowhere near their best.

The drubbing by Leeds aside, they have won all of their last five games. But unlike the champions, who are already seemingly at a peak, there is plenty more to come from Bradford.

Having already lost four games, they could be way off the pace but the recent run sees them rise into the chasing pack.

Ahead of tomorrow evening's match in Hull, McNamara admitted: "I think in the first nine weeks of winter rugby (!) we've managed to hang in there and looking at things now we're in a reasonable position.

"We'd all love to be sitting top like Leeds, four points clear of the rest, but we've had our problems to deal with.

"I don't think the weather has helped and everyone will be praying for a drier second third of the season with some more attractive rugby.

"But I am sure we will blossom in this next stage and then hopefully come home strong in that final third."

Skipper Paul Deacon backed that up, saying: "There's a lot of improvement in us and that's a good thing.

"We're not in a position where we've had our peak; we've just beaten Cas 50-4 and know we can improve tomorrow night.

"Hull will have gained confidence from their draw in Perpignan though and we realise it'll be tough over there."

The rejuvenated scrum half has been man of the match in the last two games against Harlequins and Castleford.

Aided by a fine 90 per cent goal-kicking record, Deacon is Super League's top points scorer and also thriving in his dynamic link-up with Ben Jeffries.

"When you get a new half-back partnership, it takes time to gel, learning what each other does, but I think it's starting to go well," he said.

"It did against Cas and hopefully we'll build on that at Hull. My kicking game's come on a bit and Ben's been kicking really well too. It's all good for the side and I'm pretty pleased."

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