A NEW look Bradford Bulls kicked off 2023 stylishly, as they cruised to a 34-16 victory at Dewsbury Rams this afternoon in their first pre-season outing.

It was a chance for Mark Dunning to cast his over a number of his new additions, with debuts handed to Jack Walker, Ben Blackmore, Tom Holmes, Brad Foster and Fenton Rogers from the start.

Bradford came out the blocks firing, showing a great deal of intensity and attacking prowess from the get-go, with several of their new recruits looking menacing.

The left-hand side, where Keiran Gill, David Foggin-Johnston, Foster, and Rogers were frequently present, was where the Bulls found most joy in the opening phase of the contest.

Dunning’s side didn’t take long to work their first meaningful opportunity, as new boy Rogers teed up speedster Foggin-Johnston, however his lay off to Gill was allegedly forward and the try was duly ruled out.

The visitors would soon be rewarded for their dominant start after Brad Foster powered his way over for his maiden try for the West Yorkshire side. Lilley laid the ball off to the former London Broncos man and he was able to bully his way over for the four points. Myles Lawford added the extras to send the away side 6-0 up.

On minute 22 the inevitable happened. Tom Holmes' neat grubber on the last phase of play was collected by Kieran Gill, and the prolific number four pounced to put the ball down. Once more, Lawford added the conversion to put Bradford 12-0 up.

However, from the restart, back came Dewsbury. Gazing into the bright sunshine, Jack Walker couldn’t collect the air bound kick and knocked the ball on to give the hosts a fresh six 20 metres out. Dewsbury were in no mood to pass up the opportunity and Lewis Collinson broke through the Bradford line to touch down for a converted try.

Dunning’s boys, who looked sharp in attack throughout, were able to bounce back and double their try count before the break.

Firstly, Gill made a superb break before laying the ball off to the marauding Jack Walker-who made no mistake in racing home from 40 metres for his first in the red, amber and black. Lawford converted.

There was time for one more and this time it was Lawford who burst over himself, selling a delightful dummy to the onrushing Dewsbury defenders to go clear and touch down for the visitors. 24-6 to Bradford at the break.

The second half began in a scrappy fashion and it was Bradford’s turn to defend, and defend they did. An early second half turnover that was initiated by Chester Butler and Foster epitomised the strength and resilience shown by the visitors in wanting to keep the home side out.

It would soon be their turn to attack once again and Jordan Lilley’s influence on the fixture was becoming more apparent after the interval. Bradford’s number seven was able to put his own ‘kicking’ touch on the visitors’ display, sending another grubber kick through the Dewsbury backline for interchange star Joseph Arundel to pounce on. Against all odds, Lawford finally missed a conversion attempt but Bradford remained 28-6 up.

On minute 55, it was Lilley’s turn to be scorer instead of provider after some brilliant work following a scrum. Bulls’ magic man collected the ball before darting through the home side’s back line to go over. This time Lawford added the extras for a deserved 34-6 lead for the side from Odsal.

Despite being in cruise control, Dewsbury did pull back two consolation tries prior to the final whistle. Sam Day was first to bundle over and then Dewsbury’s Man of the Match Jimmy Beckett added a try for himself after collecting a brilliant lay off 20 metres away from Bradford’s posts.

A positive and much-needed run out for Mark Dunning’s side ahead of a long and busy Betfred Championship season. They host Huddersfield Giants next in their second pre-season fixture on Sunday.