The Bulls’ under-20s pulled off a superb comeback to defeat a strong Wigan side 36-32 in the Valvoline Cup.

Signs had not been good when a Warriors side including Amos Roberts, Lee Mossop and Bradford target Iafeta Paleaaesina raced into a 26-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But the youthful visitors responded in superb fashion, guided by scrum half Cain Southernwood and aided by strong showings from Lewis Reed, Adam O’Brien, Ben Helliwell and the Burgess twins.

Tries came from George Burgess, Andy Tate, Andy Smith, Danny Addy, Liam Kay and Helliwell, while Southernwood kicked six goals.

For the hosts, Sale Sharks-bound centre Iain Thornley scored a hat-trick and there were further scores from Paleaaesina, Josh Veivers and Jack Murphy.

Bulls: Ben Hellewell; Jessjo Sherriffe, Jason Crookes, Rob Hawthorne, Andy Smith; Callum Windley, Cain Southernwood; Tom Burgess, Jon Horton, Lewis Reed, Danny Addy, Andy Tate, Liam Kay. Subs: Adam O’Brien, Ben Harris, Aaron Blake, George Burgess.

The Bulls’ academy side also won, sealing a 26-22 triumph against Wakefield at Grattan Stadium.

Bradford led 16-6 at the break thanks to a hat-trick from Ethan Hawksworth and two goals by Danny Softly and although Wakefield launched a second-half comeback, they managed to hold on.

John Bateman and Kyle Williamson both crossed the whitewash after the break, with Softly kicking another goal.

Bulls: Kyle Williamson; Sam Walton, Ady Raw, Jarrod Ward, Ethan Hawksworth; Elliott Cousins, Daniel Softly; Tom Lillycrop, Ryan Wright, Rob Stanley, Matt Bailey, Jobe Murphy, John Bateman. Subs: Connor Spencer, Tom Storey, Jack Cockerham, Josh Lancaster.