ROWAN Milnes is intent on trying to gate-crash the half-back hierarchy at Odsal this year.

The youngster’s winning penalty for the Bulls against Dewsbury clinched a spot in Sunday’s Yorkshire Cup final at Batley.

And Milnes is determined to keep up the pressure on his more established rivals for the play-making roles in John Kear’s plans.

Dane Chisholm, Joe Keyes and Jordan Lilley all possess far more experience but the 19-year-old is confident he won’t be just making up the numbers.

Milnes said: “They obviously have a bigger reputation and are big names.

“But I’m not here to just sit back and let them do the work and I’ll cover.

“I want to push on and really challenge for a spot. Hopefully my performances are impressing John because that’s all I can do.

“I set my personal targets at the start of every year – and last year I felt I really pushed on.

“I’m learning off being with the other players at training. This pre-season I feel I have really matured compared to when I made my debut this time last year.

“Physically I’m bigger now, especially in defence, and I don’t feel out of my depth.

“Hopefully I can really challenge for those first-team spots in the half-back position.”

Milnes nailed the decisive kick in difficult weather conditions to seal a 20-18 win over the Rams after the team got a half-time blast from Kear.

“We deserved that,” admitted the teenager. “We took our foot off the gas.

“But the boys turned it round in the second half and got the win in a really tough game.

“You can really tell now that we’ve stepped up the level from League One to Championship.”

With Keyes disappearing at half-time because of back spasms, Milnes found himself as the specialist half-back in his pairing with the versatile Matty Wildie for the second 40 minutes.

He added: “It was up to me to take control but that’s my job.

“We had a little chat at half-time but Matty is a quality player, whether he’s hooker, half-back or wherever on the pitch. He’s someone you want on your team.”