Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble is already looking forward to what he predicts will be a "fantastic" game at home to Leeds Rhinos later this week.

"A couple of decent practice sessions and we'll be ready for Friday," reckoned the Great Britain assistant.

"We're on song, and I am really looking forward to what I am sure will be a fantastic game."

Noble was delighted with the Bulls' defensive display in their 40-18 home victory over Castleford on Friday, but felt that their fluency in attack was hampered by Mirfield referee Richard Silverwood.

"I don't harp on about it because I am not allowed to, but a bit of the spectacle was spoilt by some of the things that happened in the middle" said Noble. "Richard Silverwood could have been a little bit more vigilant shall we say.

"Yes, we still have a bit of fluency to get in attack, but it is hard to get that when you are being held down as much as we were.

"But we have come through it healthy and we defended really, really well in the first half."

The Tigers scored three tries in the second half, but Noble said: "One of their tries came from a blatant obstruction and one was called on a forward pass from Lee Radford that never was."

l Victory at Leeds Rhinos next Saturday (2.30) will give Bradford Bulls the Junior Academy Championship Minor Premiership title.

A season's best crowd of 318 - many stayed on after the club's open day - watched the Bulls continue their unbeaten run by defeating Castleford Tigers 58-18 at Odsal on Saturday.

The Bulls, who currently head the table from Wigan, were shownthe way home by classy 6ft 4in centre Karl Pryce, who celebrated his 16th birthday with a hat-trick of tries. Chief beneficiary of his fine work was his winger Paul Clarke, who also grabbed three tries.

Other tries for the Bulls, who were 18-18 at half-time, came from Richard Johnson, John Parkinson, Paul Tor-doff, Lee Smith and Matt Bottom. Dominic Brambani kicked seven goals.