Bulls ready for Tigers
From correspondents in Huddersfield
January 23, 2006
Huddersfield 10 Bradford 28
SUPER League champion Bradford Bulls has completed an impressive warm-up for next week's world club challenge with Wests Tigers.
The Bulls, who return to the Galpharm Stadium for their meeting with the NRL premier on Friday week, were led superbly by new captain Iestyn Harris in their first major pre-season clash.
Even without rested trio Paul Deacon, Lesley Vainikolo and new signing Stanley Gene, the champion was too strong for a generally disappointing Giants team, for whichm ex-Bradford favourite Robbie Paul made a quiet debut.
Former Melbourne winger Marcus Bai marked his first appearance for the Bulls with a try but the star performer, with a try in each half, was New Zealand Test centre Shontayne Hape, who picked up from where he left in November's Tri-Nations triumph.
Bradford had the game sewn up at half time when it led 22-0 thanks to tries from Bai, Hape, hooker Ian Henderson and substitute Brett Ferres, with Harris kicking four conversions.
Huddersfield, which also had Albert Torrens, Martin Aspinwall, Stephen Wilde, Steve Snitch and Matt Gardner making their first appearances, suffered from a chronic shortage of ideas near the visitor's line.
Centre Chris Nero touched down following a neat kick from Paul 14 minutes into the second half to enable his side avoid being whitewashed, but the Bulls increased their lead when the forceful Hape crossed at the corner for his second try and Harris landed a fourth goal.
The home side at least had the final say when Torrens, who was the pick of the new signings, followed up a kick from England international Chris Thorman to score his side's second try.
Press Association