JY HITCHCOX was swiftly brought down to earth after his hat-trick of tries for Bradford Bulls against West Wales Raiders at Llanelli on Sunday.

On being told that he was the oldest player in the team at 29, the right winger revealed after their 19-try romp: "It is the first time that I have been called that!"

The Australian, who has been out with a back injury, added: "I feel like a young gazelle out there at the moment, and if I can use my experience in the play-offs all well and good."

Hitchcox, who did not play in the reverse fixture when the Bulls triumphed 124-0 in May, said: "It is always good to get some 'meat pies' – I missed out last time didn't I? – and blow out some of the cobwebs.

"Eight weeks out is no good but I am happy to get the win and happy to be back on my feet injury free."

Hitchcox, starting his second loan spell of the season from Castleford Tigers at Odsal, revealed that one of head coach John Kear's targets at Stebonheath Park was to keep a clean sheet.

The former Featherstone Rovers player said: "We set some goals – we didn't want them to score any points, and we executed on that.

"We stuck to the game plan and there was a lot less errors in us this time and, most importantly, after errors we defended well so I was happy with that."

Hitchcox realises that the Bulls are not just a young side.

He said: "JK has got a plan and we have got some youth in the team but there is a lot of quality floating around.

"Storts (Matty Storton) did real well (on his seasonal debut) and is one for the future.

"It is a young side but we are a growing side as well, and with what has happened over the past couple of years you have to start from somewhere, and they are pretty exciting times at Bradford."

The right winger also had a word of praise for the Raiders, who have lost all 24 matches and have conceded 1896 points – an average of exactly 79 – while their scoring average is only just over a try and a conversion (6.8 points).

Hitchcox said: "It is unfortunate for them that they are getting beaten by a fair bit, but credit to them.

"They turn up each week, they come in numbers and they have a good ground."