A few interesting match ups... wonder if Smith will fancy his chances against Crookes.. and will Crossley put himself about a bit? I wonder if the Bulls would have allowed Southernwood to play if he hadn't of been out injured?

Yes chances are we would have let Southernwood play

Looking forward to it even though I arn't going :'(



Hope theres a highlights video or some pictures

Should be a belter!

True enough, but the squad does look a good bit stronger than the one we usually send. Should be a good work out though and a chance to get a few moves working, which is what really matters.

I don't recall ever putting out a squad that strong against Dewsbury pre-season. I don't go in for the school of thought that pre-season games give you no idea of how you will do in the season ahead. If we were to really struggle with that strong squad against Dewsbury then I'd question what we are likely to achieve this year.



I say all that without any disrespect intended to the Rams.

What is wrong with you nowadays?

Scamp. I heart you.

He certainly has changed.

forecast for Halifax and Huddersfield weather stations for tomorrow is light rain in the morning, dry and sunny afternoon with wind gusting to 30-40mph, so conditions will be important. I would assume Gale has spent some time today on kicking practice as winds about the same strength. So maybe Briggs for playing with the wind and Sammut at 6 into the wind. (editicon_smile.gif If he has a visa!!!

22/1/12 | Dewsbury Rams vs Bradford Bulls | 15:00



[size=150Dewsbury Rams (0) 16-42 (30) Bradford Bulls[/size



Dewsbury Tries: Esders (54), Faal (60), Flanagan (77)

Dewsbury Goals: Barber 2/3



Bradford Tries: Purtell (3), Gale 2 (16,2icon_cool.gif, Ainscough (22), Sykes (33), Joesph (47), Burgess (63)

Bradford Goals: Gale 7/7



Sin Bin: Craig Kopczak (6) - Late challenge on Ed Barber after the kick.

On Report: Craig Kopczak (6) - See above incident.



Penalties: Dewsbury 8-10 Bradford

Goal Line Drop Outs Forced: Dewsbury 0-3 Bradford

Attendance: 1,402







James Craven's tackle on a full speed Brett Kearney was one of the best tackles I've ever seen.



Just you wait till Rams TV upload the match highlights.



I thought Craven, Smith, Esders and Faal all did Dewsbury proud today. They certainly created enough chances to score tries in that second half to suggest that They'll be a force in the Championship this season.



Credit must go to Bradford's defence (I never thought I'd say that so soon) especially the much criticised marker and sliding defence.



Young Adam O'Brien, Phil Joseph (the break and then offload to Ainscough to send him under the posts was a pleasure) and new recruit Adrian Purtell tackled like work horses with the ex Newcastle Knights man at one point putting in three consecutive marker defence tackles.



Luke Gale need I say anymore other than his creative flair in all fairness was worth about thirty of our forty two points (he hand in just about everything).



This creativity is something we haven't seen since the days of Deacon & Harris.

I was very impressed with the Bulls in the 1st half. Diskin looked very sharp early on to say it's his first match in a long time and looked dangerous every time he picked the ball up out of Dummy half.



My man of the match was Luke Gale though. This guy controlled everything. He asked questions every time he took the line on and scored a couple of nice tries, not to mention setting up a few others. That creativity is something Bradford havent had for a few years and it can only be a positive for the Bulls.



Joseph is someone who has really impressed me in the 2 pre season games so far too. He puts his body on the line every time he tries something, whether it by with ball in hand or making a tackle. I was pleased for him to get over the line today as the effort he put in definitely warranted it.



It was good to see the Bulls hustle in defence too. I know it was only Dewsbury (and I mean that in the most respectful way I can) but when they moved the ball latterally across the field they looked dangerous and they will cause a few teams a lot of problems this year.



Bradford were very professional today though and a few players put their hands up big time for a spot against Catalan

ex Newcastle Knights man. !?!?!



Oh no Mick , mistake there !!! It's ex-Penrith Panthers lol





Joke over, in all seriousness thank you for you overview and stats. Looking forward to seeing that tackle and how Gale and Joseph played