Super League: Bradford Bulls blow Catalans Dragons away for first home top-flight win in 12 years
Bradford Bulls end 12-year wait for Super League win at Odsal as first-half blitz floors Catalans Dragons; Sky Sports is the only place to watch every Super League game live in 2026
Friday 20 February 2026 22:42, UK
Bradford enjoyed a dream Betfred Super League homecoming at Odsal as they beat Catalans Dragons 28-10 for their first top-flight victory in 12 years.
The Bulls had not played a home game in the top tier since their financial problems in 2014 but they ended their hiatus in style, thanks to a stunning first-half display.
Andy Ackers got things under way in the eighth minute as he powered his way over the line, with Rowan Milnes converting.
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Milnes scored three penalties, with Waqa Blake then adding a second try in the 32nd minute.
Caleb Aekins notched a third try, latching on to Milnes' inside pass, as Bulls went in 24-0 up at half-time.
The French side threatened a comeback in the second half as Solomona Faataape scored a converted try four minutes after the restart, with Toby Sexton also crossing the line in the 54th minute.
But Blake's second try just after the hour restored the Bulls' cushion to 18 points.
And they were able to see it out to record a memorable victory - the first of their Super League return.
'Not here to make up the numbers'
Player of the Match Joe Mellor told Sky Sports: "Tonight, we have shown what we can do on the field. We're not here to make up the numbers. You could see that last week with the three promoted clubs.
"We've got to attack every game. If we build on performances like that and keep building through the year, let's see where we end up.
"The first half was [complete], we did everything we wanted to do. We slipped a little in the second half but got enough points on the board to get the win."
Haggerty savours Bradford win
Bradford Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty told Sky Sports: "It's hard to put into words. The club has waited a long time for this. I'm glad we performed on the night. I was disappointed with the second half, but I thought we were very good in the first.
"Offensively we have a style of rugby we believe in. Ultimately, you've got to have a version of defence that is tough, committed and physical. The way we kept turning Catalans away in the second half showed resilience.
"I'm happy [with the opening two rounds]. We're a new team, we're still learning on the journey. The big takeaway I'll take is we look really fit. We'll take a lot of belief away but we need to be better to keep winning."
Tomkins: Bradford taught us a lesson
Catalans Dragons head coach Joel Tomkins told Sky Sports: "We just turned up with the wrong mentality. That is probably on me. Credit to Bradford, they deserved the win. They totally outplayed us in every department.
"They outplayed the referee, they outplayed us, and we couldn't go with it. We played a bit soft, they got off to a flyer. When you turn up with the mentality, you lose all the 50/50 calls.
"We turned up thinking it was just going to happen, whereas Bradford were desperate for the win. They taught us a lesson. A lot came down to the start of this game, and it snowballed from there.
"We've got to dust ourselves off. This is probably the reality check we needed."
2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for
- Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos, 11.30pm (Sky Sports)
- Super League's 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers vs Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)
- Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
- Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
