91Èȱ¬

Lee Gaskell scored a hat-trick as Championship runners-up Bradford eased to victory over Sheffield in their first game of the Qualifiers.

A brace from Danny Williams, plus tries from Gaskell, Jay Pitts and Adam Henry, put the result beyond doubt before the break despite Misi Taulapapa's score.

Gaskell crossed twice after half-time, while winger James Clare also scored.

Menzie Yere's late try was a mere consolation for the Eagles, as Bradford moved top of the table after one round.

Victory for the Bulls was their first in four games, who suffered a two-point defeat by Sheffield in the last meeting between the two sides in July.

The result boosts Bradford's hopes of making an immediate return to Super League, having suffered relegation from the competition for the first time in the club's history last season.

Bradford Bulls: Mullaney; Williams, Purtell, Henry, Clare: Gaskell, Addy; Clough, O'Brien, Sidlow, Olbison, Ferguson, Pitts.

Replacements: Blythe, Lauaki, Crossley, Ryan.

Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Turner, Yere, Smeaton, Taulapapa, Briggs, Brambani, Thorpe, Carlile, Stringer, Knowles, Straugheir, Petersen.

Replacements: Battye, Davey, Davies, Tonks.

Referee: Matt Thomason

Attendance: 6,032