Bradford Bulls 22 Featherstone Rovers 12: Featherstone denied as Caro hat-trick earns Bulls victory

Danny Craven and Anthony Thackeray both scored first-half tries on their competitive debuts for new-look Featherstone who were only 16-12 behind at half-time in their bid to repeat last season’s win at Odsal.

Last year’s league runners-up Bradford struck an important blow in the 54th minute when Caro completed his treble and Danny Addy added his third goal to put them 10 points ahead and the remainder of the game was scoreless.

Rovers, whose line-up included Leeds Rhinos dual-registered players Ash Handley, Jordan Baldwinson and Mitch Achurch, gave an encouraging display.

They competed superbly throughout after making a great start. Full-back Craven, signed on a season-long loan from Widnes Vikings, grabbed a sixth minute try and Kyle Briggs added a touchline conversion.

The Bulls hit back when Lee Gaskell jinked his way over for a try that was goaled by Addy whose inch perfect kick then set up Caro’s first score to put the hosts 10-6 up after 19 minutes.

Adrian Purtell rescued Bradford with a try-saving tackle before they increased their lead when Caro went in at the corner. Rovers cut the gap to four points when Thackeray darted over and Briggs added his second goal.

However, the game began to slip away from them in the second period when Caro scored again.

Caro then intercepted a Rovers pass to prevent them scoring before he was denied a fourth try when he had an effort ruled out for a forward pass.

Rovers will aim to bounce back next Sunday when they host Batley Bulldogs.

Bradford Bulls: Mathers; Clare, Purtell, Welham, Caro; Gaskell, Addy; Kavanagh, O’Brien, Sidlow, Olbison, Haggerty, Pitts. Substitutes: Blythe, Walker, Ferguson, Lauaki.

Featherstone Rovers: Craven; Handley, Channing, Taulapapa, Turner; Briggs, Thackeray; Griffin, Davies, Bostock, Cording, Spears, Ormondroyd. Substitutes: Hardman, Achurch, Baldwinson, Tagg.

Referee: G Stokes (St Helens).