Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble was a happy man last night after watching his side brush off some of their cobwebs.

And just nine days before they tackle Newcastle Knights in the World Club Challenge at the McAlpine Stadium, new signing Joe 'The Volcano' Vainikolo got off to a dream start by scoring the opening try against Castleford Tigers.

Noble watched his charges win 30-12 in the Gary Mercer testimonial match at The Jungle in front of 4,016 fans.

The Bulls ran in six tries on their first run-out for three months, and the former Great Britain international said: "I'm delighted. It was our first 'contact' of the season and I thought we would have been a lot flatter, but we showed some great touches.

"Castleford gave us a tough game and I can't over-state how pleased I am. They have obviously worked very hard in the off-season under Graham Steadman, and he will be pleased with his troops."

Noble was also relieved to emerge largely injury-free. Front-row forwards Brian McDermott and James Lowes came off with 'dead legs' and skipper Robbie Paul had to have five stitches inserted in a head wound after accidentally clashing with team-mate Joe Vagana, but all will line up against the Knights.

As for his likely side for that clash, Noble admitted: "I will maybe toss and turn over one or two faces, but one or two other things have been reinforced.

"We have knocked some rust off our engine and we will be sharper next week after this.

"With Newcastle having played a touch and pass game against Leeds in Australia, last night will hopefully give us a bit of an edge.

"But we know that Newcastle will come fired up. Saints and Brisbane didn't have warm-up games last year, and that was a hard game."

l Hull have confirmed the signing of Graham Mackay, who was a member of the Bulls' Grand Final-winning team last October.

The 33-year-old Australian dual code centre or winger, who has played back-to-back rugby for the last three years, is to quit Leeds Tykes immediately and join his new team-mates when they return from their pre-season training camp in Lanzarote later this week.