ACADEMY head coach Leigh Beattie has spoken of his pride following his side’s thrilling 30-30 draw with Huddersfield Giants.

In the curtain-raising clash that took place at Odsal Stadium, the visitors went into the contest on the back of seven successive wins.

Bradford were not deterred by their opponents’ experienced squad and tries from Ebon Scurr, Vytas Vaznys and Harry Shackleton scoring first-half tries – with the latter duo recently returning from long-term injuries.

Lochlan McGill and Cameron Berry both notched second-half scores in a heroic performance which Beattie believes deserved more.

Beattie said: "I was absolutely over the moon with their effort, it was outstanding – Huddersfield have real quality and Super League pedigree in their side.

“What the players have come up with is phenomenal and I am gutted for the lads they have only come away with a point because I thought they were the better side.

“V (Vytas Vaznys) had a long stint out with injury and that is his second 80 minutes and he is getting better – I am delighted for him.

“Harry Shackleton too had a real good effort out there having come back from a dislocated knee a few weeks ago.

“We have competed a lot this year and been unlucky at times but we went set for set and completed high.

“It was a real team performance and when we do that we can challenge anyone – I cannot be any prouder of the lads.”