Proud skipper Paul Deacon reckoned the Bulls' pure desire won them the points in windswept Perpignan - boding well for their Challenge Cup assault on Sunday.

Bradford grafted their way to a hard-earned 28-20 victory against Catalans Dragons on Saturday night, battling back from 14-4 down to pick up a valuable Super League success.

They had their backs against the wall for much of the second half, playing into a raging gale, but defended heroically to maintain their slim advantage.

"I've never played a game in such strong winds in my whole career," admitted Deacon.

"I've been playing rugby a long time but you just can't prepare for that type of wind.

"Even when it's at your back you can't decide to kick the ball because it just runs dead and when it's in your face it goes nowhere.

"Our passing game was affected as well because it was that strong. That's why the match turned out to be such an arm-wrestle but the biggest thing for us in deciding the game was our spirit.

"We were pegged back a lot of the time, gave away a few silly penalties and they had a lot of ball on our line but the spirit in our squad was brilliant to keep them out.

"We didn't want to go home with nothing from this and that really showed."

It was one of the Bulls' most physically demanding fixtures of the season but a fine rearguard action denied determined Catalans, who were spurred on by their vociferous home crowd.

Deacon conceded: "Super League is getting stronger. We had an easy victory over here last year and it just shows the strength of the competition now by the strain we were under to win. It was tough."

Victory keeps the Bulls in sight of leaders St Helens and Leeds, who they trail by just two points, but also prepares them nicely for Sunday's crucial Challenge Cup quarter-final with Huddersfield Giants.

"We've got to beat them," Deacon said. "We don't want to fall at this hurdle. It's a big game, but there's no revenge aspect from the other week when we lost in the league.

"Huddersfield will definitely be up for it. They experienced a Challenge Cup final last year and know what it's all about, so it's going to be a great match."

New signing Tame Tupou arrived in England this morning and could be in line for a debut against the Giants at Grattan Stadium.

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