The Bulls youngsters ensured they were not caught cold again as they ran in five tries to defeat an experienced Dewsbury Rams outfit.

Six days earlier, the Bulls kids had been shocked by the intensity and power on

display during their first friendly at Warrington and were consequently on the end of a real mauling.

But yesterday largely the same group of up-and-coming players - Mick Withers

was the only regular in the starting 13 - delivered a far more convincing display.

Although the Rams operate in LHF Healthplan National League Two, they had a side packed full of Super League experience with former Bulls man Kevin Crouthers - ever dangerous in the second row - Francis Maloney and Darren Rogers on show alongside seasoned pros such as Richard Chapman and Frank Watene.

But the Bulls matched them up front early on, with Matt Cook particularly

dominant, and then blazed away after the break, led superbly by scrum half Matty Brooks.

Three unanswered tries from Dewsbury in the last seven minutes, after the visitors had made several changes, took some of the gloss off the success but overall it was an excellent work-out.

There was stalemate in the opening exchanges, with Dewsbury offering plenty of enthusiasm but the Bulls being equally ferocious in defence.

Winger Dave Halley had a try ruled out after being deemed offside as he raced on to Brooks' neat dink into the in-goal area before Joe Vagana's arrival livened up

proceedings further.

A four-man reception committee taking in his first drive met him but they couldn't haul the big Kiwi down and soon after the Bulls got their first score.

The effervescent Brooks attacked the line and drew in the defence before dropping Ryan Atkins off inside on a great angle from 20 metres out.

The centre could have scored himself but, having both referee Gareth Hewer and full back Ian Preece in his path, handed Withers a simple run-in between the posts, Brett Ferres improving the try.

George Flanagan scored a try with only his second touch after replacing Joe Hawley on 36 minutes. The young hooker burrowed over from close range to hand the Bulls a healthier half-time advantage, Ferres slotting the conversion.

Although keen to impress, Dewsbury didn't offer any real threat on attack, with workaholics Cook, Anthony Tonks and Ferres ensuring they didn't get a sniff and meaning Maloney's bomb, well defused by Withers, was their only dangerous moment in the opening 40.

But the Bulls got off to the worst possible start after the break, Adam Watene having the ball slapped from his grasp in a tackle by his cousin and fellow front-rower Frank Watene in the first set, gifting Rams a

perfect platform to attack.

Crouthers made some inroads before a well-timed pass from Maloney found a gap for Rob Kelly to power through.

The Bulls hit back inside four minutes with a slick 50-metre touchdown. Brooks' line pass had second row Craig Kopczak hurtling through midfield and Flanagan was on his shoulder, showing impressive acceleration to beat the cover to the line.

Ferres converted and when he improved Ben Feehan's well-taken try in the corner, the visitors were suddenly 22-4 in front.

Centre Richard Atkins impressed again and got a deserved try after winning the race to another Brooks grubber, while Andy Smith made great yards whenever he came infield from his wing.

With substitutions coming thick and fast, it was understandable when the Bulls lapsed in those final minutes.

A crossfield kick from Liam Finn saw Rogers leap highest to cross for the hosts and then followed a fine effort as great hands through the backline eventually saw Danny Maun put Bryn Powell clear and the centre was on hand to gather the return pass, Maloney converting.

The former Featherstone player was in again in injury time from a scrum move.