ADAM O’Brien helped the Bulls beat part-timers Swinton 48-16 but admitted: We weren’t good enough.

Jimmy Lowes’ side switched off at times and conceded three tries to the newly-promoted Lions in another high-scoring encounter.

O’Brien accepts his team must improve greatly if they are to overcome promotion rivals Leigh at Odsal on Sunday.

The Bradford hooker said: “We were in control and turned it on when we needed to, but it wasn’t good enough on our part.

“We need to play for the 80 minutes against Leigh because if we give them that much ball they are going to punish us as they can really attack teams.

“Luckily, Swinton only got three tries, which they shouldn’t have done because it was from our errors, so we need to play for the full 80.

“We played some good footie when we needed to and got the two points, which was the most important thing.

“We’ve had a tough start to the season and Leigh and Bradford are big teams in this division, so it’s going to be a massive test for us to perform.

“Leigh getting beat by Batley the other week was a good buzz for us, but we’ve got to be on our game on Sunday and starting playing for 80 minutes.

“We can’t give the opposition cheap ball because if we do that against Leigh then it will be a tough day at the office.

“On our day we can beat anyone but it’s about doing the basics right.”

Oscar Thomas made an assured debut at full back in place of the rested Richie Mathers and hooker Joe Lumb also made his senior bow off the bench.

The former West Bowling amateur replaced O’Brien in the final quarter, and the Bulls’ first-choice hooker added: “It’s good for me to get a bit of a rest and also to be pushed in training by the youngsters such as Joe and Vila (Halafihi).

“I’ve got to be on my game every week to impress Jimmy and make sure I’m always in his top 17.

“I can pass my knowledge on to them and help them to play the game.”

It remains to be seen if Lowes will recall Mathers at full back ahead of Thomas against Leigh and whether Kurt Haggerty – also rested against Swinton – will be brought straight back into the starting line-up against his old club.

Jay Pitts picked up a knock in the second half and was withdrawn in clear discomfort, but Lowes revealed the injury was not serious.