BRADFORD Bulls will again face Keighley Cougars in a pre-season friendly next year.

The contest for the Joe Phillips Memorial Trophy will be at Odsal on Sunday, February 11 (3pm).

Four weeks later (Sunday, March 11), the derby rivals will meet at Cougar Park with League One points at stake, with the return clash at the Provident Stadium on Sunday, September 2.

The teams met in a thrilling pre-season clash in late January at Cougar Park, with the hosts triumphing 25-24 with a Matty Beharrell drop goal two minutes from time.

Bulls co-owner Andrew Chalmers said of the 2018 friendly: “We’re really happy to be going toe to toe with the Cougars once again.

“Last time we played them it was a great contest.

“Going over to Cougar Park in January, just days after the club formed, was a tough challenge for us, although we are in a much stronger position now.

“We are hoping for a large turnout between the two sets of fans to come view the spectacle.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic game.”

Last season’s match attracted a crowd of 2,131, which was a season’s best for the Cougars, with several of the crowd being threatened with having their cars towed away such was the difficulty in finding suitable parking places.

It was also notable for a Canada snow goose landing on the pitch.

Admission prices for the friendly (Provident Stand) will be £15 for adults (aged 16-64), £10 for concessions (65 or over) and £5 for juniors (aged five to 15), with under-fives free.