REPORT | Dons 12 Bradford Bulls 30 (Pre-season friendly)

The Dons were beaten by Betfred Super League side Bradford Bulls as they made their first and only run out ahead of the 2026 Championship season.

Bradford ran in three first half tries, but Connor Jones claimed the Dons' first try of 2026 to mark the scoresheet for Richard Horne's men just before the break.

The Bulls ran in another three tries after the break, but Cory Aston also found the line to ensure the top-flight side didn't have it all their own way.
Horne named three of his winter recruits in the starting XIII, as Tom Holmes, James Glover and Aston all featured from the off. Fellow new recruits Jones, Muizz Mustapha and Gadwin Springer featured among the interchanges.
Despite it being a friendly by name, it only took seven minutes for the Eco-Power Stadium to see its first sin-bin of 2026, as Bradford's Rowan Milnes was shown a yellow card for a high challenge.
The Bulls took the lead though five minutes later. The visitors shifted play out to the left, where Esan Marsters crossed to open the scoring. Jayden Okunbor added the extras.
The Dons went close on 21 minutes as Aston kicked the Dons within ten metres, but the Bulls collected to recover the ball.
Bradford looked to quickly counter at the other end, but they fumbled possession at the last.
The away side doubled their advantage after 28 minutes as Jayden Nikorima intercepted on halfway and broke clear to score. Milnes converted from the right.
Bradford were in again eight minutes later. Play was again shifted out to the left, where Waqa Blake charged over in the corner for a 16-point lead.
The Dons ensured the Bulls didn't have it all their own way, though, just before the half time hooter. The hosts went left from a scrum and left Jones to dive over the line. Connor Robinson added the extras with his first successful conversion of 2026 to leave a scoreline of 6-16 at the interval.
The visitors added another four points to their tally four minutes after the restart. Zac Fulton picked up on the left and crossed.
Bradford looked to be in again just two minutes later, but play was pulled back to award the Dons possession.
And they made the most of it on 49 minutes. Horne's men came inside from the left and found Aston, who sliced through the middle to ground underneath the sticks. Robinson notched the extra two points.
Bradford again went close on the left just after the hour mark, but they fumbled a pass out wide, and the ball went into touch.
The away side went even closer on 69 minutes, but they turned play over on the Dons line.
The Bulls eventually extended their lead four minutes later. Luke Hooley collected a high kick and ran the full length of the pitch to score in the right-hand corner.
Bradford then reached the 30-point mark on 78 minutes. The ball cannoned off the boot of Luke Briscoe and fell into the grasp of Jamie Gill, who crossed uncontested. Hooley added the extras.
The Dons looked to make inroads during the remaining time, but it was in vain as Horne's side's only pre-season friendly ended with a 12-30 scoreline.
Dons: Holmes, Briscoe, Glover, Hey, Gebbie, Boas, Aston, Baldwinson, Burns, Matagi, Sutcliffe, Johnson, Knowles. Interchanges: C. Jones, J. Jones, Misky, Mustapha, Pauli, Robinson, Smeaton, Springer.