The ideal workout

FORGET the final scoreline. The Bulls had to work damned hard to keep their 100 per cent record intact.

They might not thank the Tigers for it this morning after another bruising derby encounter, but it was just the sort of test they needed after the encouragement the opposition has given them recently.

Bulls looked decidedly shaky in the opening 40 minutes, and some wayward grubber kicking by Jimmy Lowes highlighted their frustration against a superb Tigers defence.

But once Leeds United fan Lowes had stopped trying to do his Harry Kewell bit and reverted to what he does best the writing was on the wall for the Tigers

After a bright Super League opener at St Helens he has been a little subdued by his standards recently, but his second half display was instrumental in helping the Bulls switch into overdrive.

And they needed to as the Tigers gave further evidence that they know better than most how to upset the Bulls machine.

Their first half defence was of the highest order, while on attack their ability to move the ball at speed had the home defence working overtime.

But they could only stand and watch as Aussie scrum half Brad Davis sent out a sweetly timed pass and second-rower Lee Harland sliced through to give them their customary Odsal lead.

The Bulls were badly in need of inspiration at this stage and, not for the first time, Henry Paul provided it with the 100th try of his British career.

Just like many of the previous 99 the opposition had plenty of time to see him coming, but knowing he's coming and being able to do something about it are quite different matters.

This time his clever run to the blindside put the defence on the back foot and his finishing strength did the rest.

The stand-off added a penalty to edge his side 8-6 ahead, and his excellent drop goal right on the hooter gave more than a hint that they knew they were in a battle.

But the Bulls' ability to hit hard on the re-start really set the tone for the second period, and it wasn't long before normal service was resumed.

Henry Paul looked to be heading for an action replay of his first half effort when he glided across the line, but as the defence closed in he slipped out a fine pass and the ever-alert Michael Withers did the rest.

And when Stuart Spruce's kick bounced kindly off the Tigers under pressure from David Boyle, there was Nathan McAvoy to gather and move back level with Withers at the top of the Bulls' try chart with eight.

There was some hope for Cas when Henry Paul's diagonal kick handed Jon Wells the opportunity to speed away from 80 metres, but the Bulls responded with the try of the night.

Withers did the damage up the middle from near halfway and Robbie Paul was up in support before feeding Lowes for the try which finally sunk the plucky Tigers.

One really feared for them at that stage such is the desire in this Bulls side right now and they really were blown away in the closing quarter-hour.

Spruce capped a fine return with a great burst from acting half-back and the Tigers frustration spiled over as prop Dean Sampson was red carded for alleged use of the forearm on Henry Paul.

It served only to drive the Bulls on to new heights and moments later a quickl tap penalty saw Lowes use Anderson as a foil before feeding David Boyle who laid a try on a plate fellow substitute Stuart Fielden.

Lowes drop goal was further indication of his domineering mood and he rounded off another stunning points blitz by following up Brad Mackay's tremendous injury time break to notch his second of the night.

Henry Paul, who had banged over his first seven attempts shaved the post with his eighth, but his thousands of admirers might just excuse him that one after another stunning show.

Another mighty effort from Paul Anderson and the second half show of Lowes could have won them both man of the match honours on another night but Paul edged it with his crucial contributions either side of the break.

Anderson is on fire at the moment though and there isn't anyone in the British game who can come close to matching his thunderous charges.

England coach John Kear must surely have taken notice and he better head for cover if Steve Molloy and Dale Laughton get the nod for the World Cup.

But it's a collective that the Bulls are really flourishing and here was another side who just couldn't live with them over 80 minutes.

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