Bulls boss Steve McNamara insisted his side are still some way from their best despite dismantling Castleford Tigers 41-22.

The response was exactly what was required from Bradford following defeats in their opening two games.

Victory ensured they avoided the unwanted tag of becoming the first Bulls side in the Super League era to start a campaign with three straight losses.

But McNamara refused to get carried away, insisting his team still have plenty of improvement left in them, particularly in defence.

He said: “A week’s a long time in rugby league.

“We asked for a response (after the St Helens defeat). We’ve been solid in practice all week and we responded in the game again today.

“I thought we were pretty good. I’m disappointed with the four tries conceded. Three of them were off kicks, two of them great kicks in my opinion.

“But I thought we were pretty much in control from the start until the end and I thought we played some very attractive rugby league as well.

“We’re still some way off but, as I’ve said, we’re still a fairly new side so it’s going to take a little bit of time.

“We’ve played three very good sides in the first three fixtures so it was always going to be difficult.

“Last week was a huge kick up the backside but, as painful as it was sat here last week, it might have been the best thing that could’ve happened to us.”

Although halves Matt Orford and Brett Kearney got many of the plaudits, Kearney scoring two tries and Orford earning man of the match, McNamara also praised his forward pack.

He said: “They were given a better platform this week by some of our forwards who got on the front foot and allowed our halves to play going forward rather than having everything come at them.

“They’ve obviously got some very good talent. I thought (hooker) Heath L’Estrange was involved in a lot of good things for us as well.”

Having taken his fair share of criticism in the wake of the defeat to St Helens, McNamara was quick to highlight the support of his coaching staff in helping to put smiles back on faces.

“The staff have done tremendous work over the last couple of weeks, Lee St Hilaire in particular.

“Lee’s been an absolute rock for me and has been outstanding in practice. I’m very pleased with all my staff.”