HULL FC 27 BRADFORD BULLS 20
DAVE CRAVEN, MKM Stadium, Saturday

WILL PRYCE broke the hearts of his hometown club Bradford as Hull FC edged to a tense opening Super League win.

The silky fullback, whose dad Leon famously starred for Bradford in their halcyon Bullmania days, coolly slotted a 76th-minute drop-goal to ruin the visitors’ big return.

It had been twelve years since the West Yorkshire club last graced the top-flight and they looked like celebrating with a shock win after going ahead late on.

But once Pryce had levelled with a 69th-minute penalty, Hull got into position to clinch it, before Cade Cust burrowed over with 88 seconds remaining to confirm success.

However, Bradford can take plenty from their opening shot especially given they battled so hard with a number of injuries.

Jayden Okunbor, who lasted just eight games with Hull after his big move from Canterbury Bulldogs turned sour in 2024, hoped to enjoy a happy return to MKM Stadium.

But the Aussie winger limped off after just five minutes.

While he was making his way down the touchline, though, his side got off the mark, Waqa Blake latching on to a classy pass from Zac Fulton.

Rowan Milnes slotted the first of his four goals and Bradford were up and running.

Hull responded when Pryce dummied through in the 15th minute and dinked a perfectly-placed grubber for Joe Batchelor to cross on his 100th Super League appearance.

Pryce converted but it wasn’t long before Kurt Haggerty’s side were in again.

Blake, the Fiji centre who endured his own difficult spell in Super League with St Helens before moving to Odsal, turned provider with a lovely move for ex-Hull winger Connor Wynne to finish.

The hosts made a successful Captain’s Challenge when Liam Knight saw his alleged knock-on overturned and that proved crucial.

In the next set, Pryce came into the line for his second assist, a smart cut-out pass for Harvey Barron to hold off Wynne in the corner.

Back-to-back penalties led to Davy Litten scoring next, collecting Aidan Sezer’s long pass and bumping off some weak defence to ankle over.

Pryce’s third goal saw his side 18-10 ahead at the break and Bradford suffered another blow when ex-Warrington second-row Dan Russell had to be helped off in the 42nd minute.

Ligi Sao was put on report for a challenge that led to the Papua New Guinea international injuring his ankle.

But just four minutes later, Blake once more caused chaos down Hull’s right, sucking in defenders to furnish Wynne with his second try on his 100th career appearance.

Milnes improved and levelled at 18-18 when Hull’s discipline waned again.

When Hull captain Sezer copped Joe Mellor high, Milnes’ 62nd-minute penalty put the Bulls back ahead.

Lewis Martin did brilliantly to deny Joe Keyes after Mellor’s scything midfield break and, in the next play, Pryce produced another try-saving tackle on 18th man Elliot Peposhi as the impressive visitors turned up the ante.

But Bradford conceded a soft penalty for Pryce to level up again with eleven minutes to go before he held his nerve at the death.

GAMESTAR: Waqa Blake was superb but Will Pryce came up with the big plays when it mattered most.

GAMEBREAKER: Will Pryce’s 76th-minute field-goal was always going to be a clincher.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Waqa Blake gave a centre masterclass in a losing side.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Will Pryce (Hull FC)
2 pts Waqa Blake (Bradford)
1 pt Sam Lisone (Hull FC)

MATCHFACTS

HULL FC
1 Will Pryce
2 Harvey Barron
4 Zak Hardaker
3 Davy Litten
5 Lewis Martin
27 Callum Kemp
7 Aidan Sezer
17 Liam Knight
9 Amir Bourouh
10 Harvie Hill
11 Joe Batchelor
21 Arthur Romano
20 Yusuf Aydin
Subs (all used)
14 Cade Cust
16 Sam Lisone
18 Ligi Sao
23 Brad Fash
18th man (not used)
22 Connor Bailey
Also in 21-man squad
6 Jake Arthur
19 Tom Briscoe
32 Lloyd Kemp

Tries: Batchelor (15), Barron (23), Litten (32), Cust (79)
Goals: Pryce 5/5
Field-goals: Pryce (76)

BULLS
1 Caleb Aekins
2 Jayden Okunbor
3 Esan Marsters
4 Waqa Blake
23 Connor Wynne
18 Joe Keyes
7 Rowan Milnes
10 Loghan Lewis
9 Andy Ackers
8 Ryan Sutton
11 Dan Russell
12 Zac Fulton
13 Joe Mellor
Subs (all used)
14 Mitch Souter
15 Eribe Doro
16 Ebon Scurr
17 Ed Chamberlain
18th man (used)
25 Elliot Peposhi
Also in 21-man squad
20 Brandon Douglas
22 Luke Hooley
30 Leon Ruan

Tries: Blake (4), Wynne (18, 46)
Goals: Milnes 4/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 6-10, 12-10, 18-10; 18-16, 18-18, 18-20, 20-20, 21-20, 27-20

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hull FC: Will Pryce; Bulls: Waqa Blake

Penalty count: 9-7
Half-time: 18-10
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Attendance: 16,653