BULLS' below-par start to the season continued today, with arguably their worst performance yet in a crushing 50-12 defeat to Sheffield in their Championship opener.

So if you can bear to read on, here's the game guide and player ratings courtesy of T&A sports reporter Nathan Atkinson.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Billy Jowitt looked bright when he came on, with the young debutant looking to get on the ball at every opportunity.

He set up Joe Brown's try with a lightning burst up the middle and was unlucky not to score himself, spinning neatly but losing the ball on the line after a brilliant tackle.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Aside from the final whistle, that aforementioned Joe Brown try probably gets the nod.

It was good carrying from skipper Steve Crossley, great pace from Billy Jowitt, and the one bright moment in a poor game from Brown, who supported the youngster superbly and ran in well from long range.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

How long have you got? Sheffield looked as if they could score tries at any given moment, and with Bulls' defending and tackling prowess virtually non-existent, Sheffield genuinely should have scored more than they did.

TACTICS

Bulls badly missed Jordan Lilley, and their attempts to play a fluid system, with Danny Brough as the only fixed half back, did not work.

They looked far better when Billy Jowitt came in alongside the 38-year-old.

Otherwise, there was a debut from the start by Aaron Murphy at loose forward, while Ben Evans made his Bulls bow off the bench at prop.

GAME GUIDE

Half-time: 28-0

Referee: James Vella

Sheffield - Tries: Brown (2), Guzdek, Glover (2), J. Farrell, I. Farrell, Thackeray (2), Millar. Goals: I. Farrell (4), Glover.

Bulls - Tries: Rooks, Brown. Goals: Brough (2).

Penalties: Sheffield 7, Bulls 6.

PLAYER RATINGS

SHEFFIELD: Guzdek 8, Worrincy 7, Johnson 6, Glover 8, Millar 7, I. Farrell 6, Thackeray 9, Knowles 6, Burns 6, James 7, Davies 7, J. Farrell 7, Brown 8.

INTERCHANGES: Davey 7, Dickinson 6, Broadbent 6, Burns 6.

BULLS: Brown 5, Hamlett 5, R. Evans 4, Oakes 5, Sanderson 5, Pickersgill 5, Brough 5, Fleming 5, Doyle 5, Crossley 5, Rooks 6, Gallagher 5, Murphy 5.

INTERCHANGES: B. Evans 5, Jowitt 7, Nzoungou 6, Scurr 6.