Stuart Fielden showed against Halifax last season just what a special talent he has by racing through the Odsal mud to score a spectacular 40-yard try.

It was a sublime piece of finishing from the talented prop forward which lit up the Bulls' hard-fought 20-2 victory over the Blue Sox.

And with the Bulls being drawn against Halifax in this weekend's Challenge Cup quarter-final, Fielden could be forgiven for thinking back to the superb individual effort which saw the prop splash clear near halfway before beating two defenders and using his sheer strength to get past a third and over the line.

But the 20-year-old says the only thing on his mind is helping the Bulls into the semi-finals.

He said: "Of course, I hope I can score a try like I did last season. If it happens I will be over the moon, but to be honest I will be if I can crash over from two yards out. The only thing that matters is that we win the game."

Fielden had to be content with a place on the bench in the Bulls' stunning opening-day victory at St Helens but impressed after replacing Bernard Dwyer by earning some good yardage.

Following the resounding Cup victory at Wakefield the week before, it was the perfect start to Super League because it sent out a message that the Bulls mean business this season.

This weekend the attention switches back to the Challenge Cup as the Bulls look to shatter their tag as the 'nearly men' following the semi-final defeat to Leeds and the Grand Final reverse against St Helens in 1999.

Sunday's derby clash at the Shay has extra meaning for Fielden because the Halifax-born star lives in Hebden Bridge, where he is surrounded by Blue Sox fans.

Halifax chalked up an impressive victory over Castleford at Wheldon Road in the last round and although it took a last-gasp try to see off Hull, Fielden knows the Bulls are in for another tough test.

He said: "They are my hometown team. Of course any side wants an easier draw but looking at the teams left in the competition, there isn't really one of those.

"But maybe this is a game I secretly wanted because I want to win against my hometown team.

"I will have an awful lot to prove. I can't wait to face them, to be honest.

"Halifax are doing well. They might not have the biggest names like some of the other sides in Super League.

"But they do have some good players. They are going to come out fired up and we know we are in for a hard game. I know our guys will be fully motivated, though.

"I know a lot of the guys - I used to go to school with Andy Hobson. Halifax have quite a big pack but I think ours is equal to that. I am not predicting anything but I am confident."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.