Bulls winger Shaun Ainscough has admitted his frustration got the better of him at Castleford on Boxing Day but was glad to return to try-scoring action.

Mick Potter’s men were defeated 28-18 in their first pre-season friendly after their line was breached six times at the PROBIZ Coliseum.

It was a tough encounter for a mix-and-match Bradford side which featured trialist Phil Joseph and several youngsters such as Adam O’Brien, John Bateman and Jobe Murphy.

With ten minutes remaining, Ainscough was left exposed as Castleford worked the ball out to Josh Griffin to score their final try in the left corner.

Ainscough rightly believed that he deserved better support from his team-mates and let them know in no uncertain terms.

“I was a bit annoyed with the team and how we were doing,” said the former England Academy winger.

“I just wanted to do well and obviously it wasn’t happening.

“There are no such things as friendlies and I want to win every game we play.”

The Bulls, to their credit, refused to surrender and a strong finish was rewarded with fine tries from Bryn Hargreaves and Ainscough.

For Ainscough, 22, it was a timely reminder of his talent after an injury-ravaged debut campaign at Odsal.

He added: “Castleford was a stressful game so it was good to finally get over for a try.

“I just wanted to score but I felt pretty fit and my ankle feels fine.

“It’s good to blow some cobwebs off and play your first game.

“It has set me up for the rest of pre-season now.”