Bulls too strong for Tigers

Bradford cast aside their latest off-field troubles to claim a high-scoring 46-32 victory over struggling Castleford which hoists them back into play-off places.

The cash-strapped Bulls, this week revealed to be even further in debt than first feared, have also had to cope with the trauma of Australian centre Adrian Purtell suffering a heart attack on the way back from last week's defeat against Leeds in Manchester.

But all this seemed far from their minds as they ran in eight tries against the Tigers, although their coaching staff are likely to be less than happy at the six which they conceded.

The win gives Bradford their first double of the season, having triumphed 20-12 at a snow-bound PROBIZ Coliseum in February, and ejects 2011 Grand Final winners Leeds from the play-off zone for the first time this year.

Four tries in 16 first half minutes gave the Bulls an advantage they never relinquished, although some poor defence from both sides allowed the game to develop into something of a try-fest.

Bradford roared into a 34-10 lead before three tries either side of half time gave Castleford hope of improving a recent record of just one win the their previous five games.

And it was not until Shaun Ainscough crossed for Bradford's last try five minutes before the end that the fighting Tigers aspirations finally died.