YOUNG Bulls talent Billy Jowitt has had a nightmare time with injuries, but he marked his long-awaited return to the first team in style on Sunday, excelling at full-back and chipping in with two tries in his side’s 66-18 Challenge Cup fourth round win over the Midlands Hurricanes.

Linking up with the first team in 2021, he broke his arm in a defeat to Widnes that summer, and it did not get any better for him last year.

A torn calf on Valentine’s Day at Leigh ruled him out for eight weeks, then he suffered a torn adductor (thigh muscle) on his return against Wigan’s reserves.

He made his comeback from that setback against Huddersfield’s second string, but a dislocated shoulder forced him off in that game.

It made Sunday’s match all the more special for Jowitt, who told the T&A: “Hopefully there’s no more injuries this year and I get a good run of games.

“I want to show people what I’m about and what I can do, because I started last year alright.

“I just want to take it a game at a time and build on that.

“Hopefully I’ll keep progressing and do a good job for us.”

Jowitt knows competition for places is fierce, but he said: “I’m 22 now, so I don't want to be a squad player and I want to be playing week in, week out.

“I think once I get some more minutes under my belt, I can be a stand out player.

“As long as I get the minutes and the reps I think I can do a good job in this division for us.”

And Jowitt’s confidence extends to the Challenge Cup as well.

If Bulls beat Halifax in the fifth round later this month, they will have booked their spot in the 1895 Cup semi-finals, yet Jowitt insisted: “We need to take it one game at a time, but I just see the 1895 Cup as a secondary competition.

“My first goal is to keep progressing in the Challenge Cup itself.

“Hopefully we can knock off Halifax next and I think if we do that, we’ll put ourselves in good stead to face any Super League team.”

The versatile Jowitt can play in the halves, at full-back or at hooker, which will only strengthen his chances of selection.

He said: “I probably feel more comfortable at half-back at the minute, as I haven’t trained much at full-back this year.

“Hooker is a bit of a different kettle of fish because you’re constantly back defending and putting your body on the line, but I’m happy to play in all three positions.”

Young half-back Myles Lawford set Jowitt up for the first of his two tries on Sunday, with the pair having linked up well in the reserves previously.

Jowitt said: “I love playing with him and we do really well together, especially alongside each other in the halves.

“We’re quite similar players, with a run-first mentality, but he’ll adapt to whoever comes into the team.

“Hopefully he’ll get a good run of games in the first-team this year himself.”

Jowitt finally had the slice of luck his career has been missing for his second try against the Hurricanes, the ball bouncing off the opposing full-back’s chest and straight into his hands to gift him a score.

The 22-year-old laughed: “I got a little bit of luck there.

“I felt like it was only me chasing the kick, it didn’t feel like there was anyone else around me.

“Sometimes you need that luck, and it felt nice to get some for a change. It meant I was able to just fall straight over the line to score.”