Bradford Bulls 44, Castleford Tigers 4 - The Paul brothers had better watch out - the seeds of a new half-back pairing were firmly sown at Valley Parade yesterday.

With the Kiwi stars jetting back from Test duty in Wellington on Friday, Paul Deacon and Leon Pryce reminded everyone just what promise Brian Noble has in reserve.

Deacon's 20-point performance was no real surprise to anyone who has seen him develop into an England scrum half over the last few years.

But after 2years out on the wing, fans could be forgiven for perhaps forgetting that Pryce made his name as a junior in the centre or in his favoured stand-off role.

They know only too well what's he's capable of now - just ask the toothless Tigers.

The way he danced through them for a try just after the half-hour showed why his days hogging the touchline may be numbered.

Dummying outside he changed direction sharply and eased through to score with great style and there were many other classy touches in a display full of rich promise.

Coach Noble admitted: "I see Leon as a centre or stand-off. We've got to start moving him infield because he is too dangerous a ball carrier. He just needs to add the physical bits.

"It shows we've got quality strength in depth. Pryce and Deacon are very much part of this club for the foreseeable future."

The pair were understandably still finding their feet as the Tigers opened up strongly and, deservedly on the balance of play, went ahead despite a suspicion of obstruction in the move which ended with Aussie back-rower Dale Fritz charging over.

But gradually the Bulls pack started eating away at the Tigers confidence and a three-try salvo in a 12-minute spell midway through the half effectively settled matters.

And once again it was top-try scorer Mick Withers pointing the way with a clever touchdown over his head as he was spun on his back in the tackle, pictured.

The neat footwork of Pryce and skilful handling from Mike Forshaw then opened the door for Jimmy Lowes to notch his first try in nine games.

And as if to prove it was no fluke the lively hooker was on hand to add another following excellent approach work from Daniel Gartner and Withers.

Pryce then turned try scorer as the one-way traffic continued before partner in crime Deacon showed his commitment to the cause with a great last-gasp push on Richard Gay when the winger seemed a certain scorer in the corner.

If anything, Bulls were guilty of overdoing the adventurous stuff on the re-start and with more steadiness there would certainly have been more than the three second-half tries.

But there was still time for more evidence of the exciting Deacon-Pryce partnership with the stand-off stepping through in fine style to send the scrum half darting through from 30 metres.

And there was reward too for Scott Naylor who has taken his own fair share of criticism this summer.

But he ran strongly all afternoon and supported well to suggest he's certainly not given up on the season just yet.

He struck first on the hour to finish off more great work from Joe Vagana and Withers.

He also put the seal on another comprehensive win with a pretty simple run-in wide out after a Stuart Fielden charge to the posts had done the damage.

But the Tigers' lack of direction did little for the contest as a whole and one of the biggest cheers was reserved for a Bulls scrum win against the head-and-feed - I'm not joking.

Nathan McAvoy was denied another try from near halfway after originally being waved on by referee Steve Ganson who had an off-day to put it mildly.

But there was no doubting the Bulls superiority again and it's hard to see them being toppled at Valley Parade.

The superb, shortly-cropped surface is perfect for their dynamic style and the Tigers certainly won't be relishing their return next month.