OTHER than having to deal with some ridiculously devilish kick-offs in a howling wind before the break at Dewsbury, a problem that caught several of his team-mates out too, on-loan Bulls full back Aidan McGowan hardly put a foot wrong on Sunday.

Bulls’ 40-4 win in their opening 1895 Cup Group 2 clash was something of a personal triumph for the Huddersfield Giants prospect, who scored the eighth and final try for the visitors and helped set up their fifth despite nearly having his head taken off by a poor tackle during the build up.

Not only that, but the 21-year-old started the move for his own try with a sensational piece of defending to keep a fine touch-finding kick from the Rams in play, while he produced two stunning try-saving tackles late on to keep out Perry Whiteley and then Lewis Carr.

Bull head coach Eamon O’Carroll could not hide his delight with McGowan after the game, telling the T&A: “He’s a Super League player, without a doubt.

“I have huge respect for Aidan and he works tremendously hard on his game.

“He’s fully invested with us too and he’s come here with a great attitude.

“He’s going to be a Super League player for a long time to come and he’s a credit to Huddersfield.”

At the other end of the age scale, 37-year-old hooker George Flanagan was yellow carded in the second half for his part in a scuffle following a poor tackle on Ebon Scurr.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: George Flanagan (right) replaced the excellent Mitch Souter (left) partway through the second half, but was soon on his way off the field with a yellow card.George Flanagan (right) replaced the excellent Mitch Souter (left) partway through the second half, but was soon on his way off the field with a yellow card. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

That forced the young prop off the field with a knee injury and an angered Bulls lost their heads momentarily, as Flanagan was sent to the sin-bin and a fired-up Sam Hallas almost followed him moments later, only for him to miss his opponent altogether with an extremely rash tackle.

But O’Carroll defended the pair, both of whom always wear their heart on the sleeve on the field, saying: “I don’t know with that one, because I think they were just responding to seeing one of their mates hurt in a tackle.

“You don’t want to take that emotional factor out of the game, though obviously there’s a line.

“I didn’t feel George and Sam really overstepped the mark, so that’s why I’m okay with what went on.”