Bradford enjoyed a dream Betfred Super League homecoming at Odsal, defeating Catalan Dragons 28-10 to claim their first top flight win in 12 years.
The Bulls had not played a home game in the top tier since financial troubles in 2014, but ended their hiatus in style thanks to a strong first half performance.
The game started in the 8th minute when Andy Ackers fired a powerful shot over the line and Rowan Milnes converted.
Mills converted three penalties and Waka Blake added a second try in the 32nd minute.
With the Bulls leading 24-0 at halftime, Caleb Akins grabbed Milnes’ inside pass to score his third try.
The French team threatened to reverse in the second half, with Solomona Faataape scoring a converted try four minutes after the restart, and Toby Sexton also crossing the goal line in the 54th minute.
However, Blake scored his second try shortly after the break, restoring the Bulls’ cushion to 18 points.
And they did just that, recording a memorable victory in their first game back in Super League.
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Andy Ackers scores his first home try on his return to Bradford Bulls in the Super League match against Catalans Dragons
“We’re not here to make up numbers.”
Player of the match Joe Mellor told Sky Sports: “Tonight we showed what we can do on the field. We’re not here to make up the numbers. You look at the three clubs that got promoted last week and you see that.”
“We have to attack every game. If we continue to put in performances like that and continue to grow throughout the year, let’s see where we end up.”
“The first half was perfect. We did everything we wanted to do. We slipped a little bit in the second half, but we had enough points to win.”
Hagerty savors Bradford victory
Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Hagerty told Sky Sports: “It’s hard to put into words. The club has been waiting for this for a long time. I’m glad we performed that night. We were disappointed in the second half, but I thought the first half was very good.”
“Offensively, there is a style of rugby that we believe in. In the end we have to have a defensive version that is tough, committed and physical. The way we kept chasing the Catalans away in the second half showed resilience.”
“I’m happy (with the opening two rounds). We’re a new team and we’re still learning along the way. The big takeaway is that we look really good. We’re going to lose a lot of belief, but we need to be better to keep winning.”
Tompkins: Bradford taught us a lesson.
Catalan Dragons head coach Joel Tomkins told Sky Sports: “We went in with the wrong mentality and maybe that’s my fault. Thanks to Bradford, they deserved to win. They completely outplayed us in every department.”
“They outplayed the umpire, outplayed us, and we just couldn’t follow it. We played a little soft, but they lost to the Flyers. When you go in with that mentality, you lose every 50-50 decision.”
“We went into the game thinking this was going to happen, whereas Bradford were hungry for a win. They taught us a lesson. A lot happened at the start of this game and it just snowballed from there.
“We have to dust ourselves off. This is probably the reality check we needed.”
2026 Super League – Important dates and highlights
Rugby League in Las Vegas: Saturday 28 February: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, 11.30pm (Sky Sports) Super League 30th Birthday: Thursday 26 March: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports) Rivals Round: 3 April to 5 April Super League in Paris: Saturday 6 June: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports) Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5 Rivals Round Reversal: July 23-July 26 Elimination Play-Offs: September 19-September 20 Play-off Semi-Finals: September 26-September 27 Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
