Bradford v Halifax in jeopardy but Bulls working to ensure the game goes ahead

Originally we were set to have three friendlies to choose from today. Leeds’ traditional Boxing Day friendly against Wakefield is perhaps the headline game but Championship fans were excited by the prospect of two West Yorkshire derbies.

Batley were set to take on rivals Dewsbury but the pandemic saw to it that game wouldn’t go ahead and now the other high profile West Yorkshire Championship derby is in jeopardy.

Bradford v Halifax is one of the biggest games in the Championship and one of the nastiest rivalries in the second tier peaking with a Challenge Cup quarter-final in 2019.

Today’s battle between the two was set to shed light on which side is better placed to push for play-off rugby in 2022. Halifax finished third last season and have recruited brilliantly this winter and are seen as one of the favourites to push for promotion next season alongside Leigh and Featherstone.

Meanwhile, Bradford have been a little overlooked this off-season when experts have put together their Championship predictions. The Bulls finished fifth last year and are desperate to return to Super League but will have to do so without former Man of Steel Danny Brough following his retirement with Challenge Cup winner Dec Patton instead taking the reins.

Today was set to be their chance to prove their play-off credentials by defeating one of last year’s top four but it’s possible that may not be the case with the game in question following some awful weather over the night.

The game is still on as it stands according to the Bulls with hard work going on to get the pitch ready for the match which is set to kick off at 12:30.

In a statement made by the Bulls on Twitter, they said: “Members of staff are working hard to determine the condition of the pitch and the surrounding areas.

“The game as it stands is on and we will have further inspections across the morning.”

🚨 | UPDATE

Members of staff are working hard to determine the condition of the pitch and surrounding areas.

The game as it’s stands is ON and we will have further inspections across the morning.

— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) December 26, 2021