A STUNNING nine-minute hat-trick by Elliot Culling laid the platform for an emphatic 44-6 for Bradford Bulls reserves at Dudley Hill.

Gareth Carvell's side ran in no fewer than six first-half tries - with Culling's triple the highlight alongside Bradley Gallagher, Jon Magrin and Alix Stephenson scores.

The second half was more tightly contested but the home side ran in a further two scores, with Stephenson grabbing his second to take his overall points total to 16.

Dalton Grant, George Milton and Evan Hodgson were all named in a strong Bradford line-up, with the trio looking to stake a claim for a first-term berth under the watchful eye of John Kear.

Cobi Green's kicking game on early on wreaked havoc in the Featherstone defence and early Bradford pressure took its toll.

Gallagher pounced on a loose ball following a tricky Cobi Green kick to open his account and set the tone for a first-half blitz.

The next attack brought Bradford's second try. Ashley Gibson's break laid the platform for the ball to be passed out wide to Culling and he forced his way over despite the attention of two Featherstone defenders.

The two try-scorers combined for the next score, with another slick passing move on Bradford's left edge putting Culling through a gap.

There was no let-up in the relentless nature of the Bradford attack and Grant was the next to go over on his first appearance of the season - only for the referee to rule a forward pass had taken place.

Gibson then starred again in the build-up for Culling's hat-trick score, the two centres combining for Culling to race home from 50 metres.

Back-to-back penalties brought more Bradford pressure and this time it was Magrin's turn to touch down, wrestling past three would-be Featherstone defenders.

The final score of the half went to the impressive Stephenson - the full-back's dink causing confusion in the visiting defence before he pounced on the loose ball to score.

The second half began with penalties aplenty but it was a familiar face to open the scoring against a tiring Featherstone side.

Another slick move down the left edge fed Gallagher for his second try, with the second-row talent having too much power for the defence.

Next it was Stephenson's turn to secure his brace in similar circumstances, battling past Featherstone's centre to touch down.

The final Bulls try went to Sam Smith, who was found by a looping pass across the face of the visiting defence to go through a gap.

Featherstone grabbed a consolation score late on but it would not dampen the mood on an impressive evening for the reserves at Parry Lane.

BRADFORD BULLS RESERVES: Alix Stephenson, Josh Rickett, Elliot Culling, Ashley Gibson, Dalton Grant, George Milton, Cobi Green, Keelan Foster, Thomas Doyle, Jon Magrin, Evan Hodgson, Bradley Gallagher, Trae O'Sullivan. Interchanges: Luke Littlewood, Anesu Mudoti, Joe Stirk, Bradley Ho, Luke Whittaker, Sam Smith.

TRIES: Gallagher (8, 51), Culling (11, 14, 20), Magrin (27), Stephenson (30), Smith (70)

GOALS: Stephenson (4/9)