The Bulls put smiles back on faces at Odsal with a much-improved performance to defeat Castleford 41-22.

After suffering defeat in both of their opening two games, the pressure was on, but Bradford responded in style.

Using a solid platform set by their forwards, Matt Orford and Brett Kearney dazzled, cutting open Cas at will.

Nick Scruton opened the scoring within four minutes and Rikki Sheriffe crossed just three minutes later, Orford landing both conversions.

Cas hit back through Michael Shenton but tries from Elliott Whitehead and Kearney, plus conversions from Orford, put the Bulls back in the driving seat.

Richard Owen, who later went off with a suspected broken leg, touched down to reduce the gap, Westerman improving, before Orford kicked a drop goal on the stroke of half time.

Dave Halley nabbed a try at the end of the third quarter before Kearney claimed his second, Orford adding the extras on both.

And although the Tigers scored through Steve Snitch and Ryan Hudson, Paul Sykes rounded off the win a minute from time.

Bulls: Dave Halley; Rikki Sheriffe, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Stuart Reardon; Brett Kearney, Matt Orford; Nick Scruton, Heath L'Estrange, Andy Lynch, Jamie Langley, Elliott Whitehead, Steve Menzies. Interchange: Wayne Godwin, Mike Worrincy, Craig Kopczak, Glenn Hall.

Castleford: Ryan McGoldrick; Richard Owen, Michael Shenton, James Evans, Michael Wainwright; Steve Snitch, Rangi Chase; Paul Jackson, Ryan Hudson, Liam Higgins, Brett Ferres, Stuart Jones, Joe Westerman. Interchange: Mitchell Sargent, Craig Huby, Kirk Netherton, Ryan Clayton.