Bradford Bulls' 'Friday night experiment' will be put to the test when they face neighbours Halifax Blue Sox at Odsal tonight.

A survey of Bulls fans last season showed around 50 per cent preferred it as the match-day, and Odsal officials will watch the response closely at the derby.

"It's the first real test of the response because the London game was on Good Friday when other factors come into consideration," said Bulls chairman Chris Caisley.

"But tonight's match should give us a much clearer idea. The match is not being shown by Sky Sports and with Halifax going so well we are looking for a bumper turnout from both sets of fans."

The Bulls have already lined up several more Friday night kick-offs.

So far attendances at Odsal have fluctuated from the 17,127 on the opening day against Warrington to just over 13,000 for the visit of London.

The current average is well up on last season at 15,219, but with the Challenge Cup firmly in the trophy cabinet for the first time in 51 years the club are hoping it will help push the average nearer 17,000.

Coach Matthew Elliott admits his side are still vulnerable in the wake of their cup success.

"I still think we have another couple of weeks before we get it completely out of our systems," he said.

"This club has waited a long time for the Challenge Cup and the players have had a lot of adulation thrown at them.

"While it is not physically tiring, it is very mentally fatiguing, but we have very special and committed people who are well focused for the task of Super League.

"Halifax really hassled us in our cup tie there earlier in the season and if we don't take their challenge seriously they will beat us - it is as simple as that."

Elliott is already without Tevita Vaikona and Michael Withers, and if Nathan McAvoy fails to come through, Justin Brooker is poised for a wing slot, with the versatile David Boyle returning at centre.

Meanwhile, Bulls fans get the chance to have their photographs taken with the players and the Challenge Cup tomorrow between 12.30pm and 2pm at the club shop in Broadway.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.