Preview: Hull refuse to
be Bull-ied (C Cup R4)

Bradford's hopes of winning the Powergen Challenge Cup were ended by eventual winners Hull last year and the Bulls will feel this draw could have been kinder.

The Super League champions must again do battle with John Kear's side as they look to reclaim the trophy they last won three years ago.

Last year's meeting, which came at the fifth-round stage, proved a classic as Bradford fought back from 26-6 down with just 20 minutes remaining to agonisingly lose just 26-24.

Fans will undoubtedly be anticipating another tight contest at Odsal and a repeat of the sides' recent Super League clash there would certainly entertain.

The Bulls edged that contest 18-12 after two tries from the prolific Lesley Vainikolo and further touchdowns from Marcus St Hilaire and Karl Pryce.

The game could easily have gone either way but Brian Noble's men prevailed to maintain their impressive start to the new season.

After seven games, the Bulls have lost just once and will be in good heart ahead of the tie.

Hull have slipped up and lost four times after opening encouragingly with back-to-back wins but their ability to perform on the big occasion is not in question.

Coach Kear also has a fine cup pedigree having led Sheffield Eagles to glory in 1998 before masterminding Hull's Millennium Stadium triumph last summer. He was also involved as an assistant coach when Wigan won in 2002 and he will not be prepared to relinquish Hull's grip on the trophy without a fight.

Yet Hull will need to be wary of their former scrum-half Stanley Gene. The evergreen Papuan has enjoyed a new lease of life since joining the Bulls over the winter and will hope to make the difference.