Bulls lost their opening match 18-14 at home to London but there was plenty to be encouraged about.

Here's Simon Parker's take on the key points from the match.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Brandon Pickersgill pulled off two try-saving tackles, caught the high balls confidently and made good metres.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Matty Dawson-Jones opened his account with two tries, including a superb team effort for the first.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Not much to complain about from a battling display against one of the Championship strongest teams – but maybe they let London in a bit too easily in the first half. The Bulls weren’t happy with the ref.

TACTICS

Anthony England and Sam Hallas were both fit to return as the Bulls gave five debuts. George Flanagan is still suspended until round three.

GAME GUIDE

Half-time: 0-12

Referee: Aaron Moore (Wigan)

Bulls – Tries: 3 – Dawson-Jones 2, Doyle; Goals 0 – Lilley 1/3.

London – Tries: 3 – Armitage, Butler, Walters; Goals: 3 – Dixon 3/3.

Penalties: Bulls 10, London 10

Goal-line drop-outs: Bulls 0, London 2

Attendance: 2,637

PLAYER RATINGS

BULLS: Pickersgill 8; Johnson 7, Brown 7, Oakes 7, Dawson-Jones 8; Milnes 8, Lilley 7; England 8, Hallas 7, Crossley 7, Rooks 7, Gallagher 7, Kirk 7. Interchange: Nzoungou 7, Scurr 7, Hodgson 7, Doyle 8.

LONDON: Dixon 8; Ogden 7, Lovell 7, Armitage 6, Egodo 7; Meadows 8, Aston 7 Richards 7, Fozard 7, Butler 7, Curran 7, Walters 7, Battye 7. Interchange: Adebiyi 7, Krasniqi 7, Norman 7, Davis 7.