After watching his side throw off the shackles in attack to beat Hull KR 40-4, Steve McNamara was left more impressed by the restraints his Bulls placed on their opponents.

The game will likely be remembered for the polished way Bradford performed with the ball but those efforts were built on a solid defence.

Ben Cockayne’s 76th-minute try was the only blot on an otherwise neat copybook as McNamara’s side moved back up to fifth place in Super League.

The Bulls boss said: “The defence was the highlight of it. We had to be patient offensively. The conditions were difficult as it started to pour down with rain before the game.

“We played well all-round. We did the basic things which you normally want to do, which is hold on to possession, not give too many penalties away and control as many of the play-the-balls as you can.

“We’re disappointed we conceded a try but it’s good that we went 80 minutes only conceding four points.

But McNamara still could not help but be delighted by some of the plays put on by his team.

The Bulls are now unbeaten in six games in all competitions and have gradually begun to look more accomplished and assured during that spell.

McNamara said: “We executed some good plays. Hull KR have a style of defence on the edge that can really harass you and force you into some errors.

“You have to have some composure and we did that a couple of times in the first half and kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second.

“The players are very pleased. They’re a very humble bunch without egos and they just get about their business.

“Throughout the 80 minutes we did a very professional job. We’ve been making steady progression over time and are now starting to reap some rewards.

“We’re still under the radar and we’re just going to keep going about our work.”

Key to Bradford’s attacking improvement has been Matt Orford. The former Manly star has become the team’s heartbeat and, after showing flashes of his genius early in the competition, he is now beginning to add consistency.

“He’s playing well for us at this moment in time and controls most things,” said McNamara.

“You don’t hear a lot of the things he does out there for us as well but that’s important too. He played well.”

McNamara also reserved praise for the Bulls’ young second-row partnership, with 18-year-old James Donaldson impressing on his first start for the club, alongside 20-year-old Elliott Whitehead.

“They are both very good young players who have come through the system and are now starting to make an impact on Super League,” said McNamara.

“Hopefully, if they continue their progression, they’ll push on even further.”