Bradford (24) 58
Tries: Nero 3, Sykes, Menzies 2, Kearney, Worrincy, Godwin, Hall Goals: Sykes 8, Hall

Leigh (12) 16
Tries: Ridyard, Dunlan, Armistead Goals: Nanyn 2

Bradford centre Chris Nero's hat-trick doubled his try haul for the season

Bradford Bulls eased into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals as they sauntered to a 10-try stroll at Odsal against Championship title contenders Leigh.

Three tries in 13 minutes from Chris Nero, Paul Sykes and Chris Menzies set the pace, Brett Kearney also crossing to carve out a 24-6 lead at the break.

And the Bulls ran in six more after the break, Nero completing his hat-trick.

Menzies added another, while Wayne Godwin, Michael Worrincy and Glenn Hall completed the Bulls' try-scoring.

Stand-off Paul Sykes landed eight of his nine conversion attempts to earn a 20-point evening's haul, Hall improving his own late effort.

Leigh did at least keep battling until the final whistle, scoring the final try of the night through David Armitstead.

Their first try came from Martin Ridyard midway through the first half, while Stuart Donlan added a late second prior to Armitstead's closing effort, Mick Nanyn landing two of his three kicks at goal.

Leigh's visit also allowed the home fans to welcome Bulls legend Robbie Paul back to Odsal for possibly the last time as a player.

The veteran Kiwi, who scored a memorable hat-trick for Bradford in the 1996 final, received a good reception but any dreams Leigh had of seeing him reproduce some of his past magic were soon dispersed.

The gulf between fifth in Super League and second in the Championship was all too evident.

Bradford Bulls: Halley, Sheriffe, Menzies, Nero, Reardon, Sykes, Kearney, Scruton, L'Estrange, Lynch, Whitehead, Worrincy, Hall.
Replacements: Donaldson, Godwin, Platt, Kopczak.

Leigh Centurions: Donlan, Maden, Leuluai, Nanyn, Stanton, Ridyard, Paul, Hill, McConnell, Bibey, Goulden, Taylor, Armitstead.
Replacements: Durbin, Morrison, Mort, Meekin.

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France).

Attendance: 4,250.

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