BRADFORD Bulls became the first English side to register a Super League victory on French soil this season.

Shontayne Hape and Andy Lynch both scored two touchdowns as Bradford ran in nine tries to beat the Catalans Dragons 50-18 in Perpignan.

Hape, Lynch, Stuart Fielden and Jamie Langley all went over before the home side got onto the scoreboard.

Despite the absence of Lesley Vainikolo, the Bulls were dominant throughout with some sparkling play.

A dramatic 80-metre try by Justin Murphy was late consolation for the home side.

Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble said: "There's an element of frustration in our camp because we've thrown a lot of ball around after we'd talked about being structured.

"But we were comfortable right from the very start and it's difficult to remain focused when we had a bit of space to run into.

"We've come a long way. We prepared well and we've done the job but we've still got some improvement in us."

Catalans Dragons assistant coach Paul Donkin said: "It's disappointing always to lose but we've just played the best in the world and there are some positives for us to take out.

"We could have capitulated in the second half but we didn't. At times we did some good things but no-one wants 50 points scored against them.

"We weren't out of the blocks as quickly as we could be but these guys have got some of the best players in the world right across the park and our guys are still finding their feet."

Catalans Dragons have plugged the gap created by injury to skipper Stacey Jones with the stopgap signing of Australian scrum-half Mick Dobson.

The former Australian schoolboy international joins the Dragons on a short-term contract from the Canberra Raiders and is set to make his debut against Leeds in Perpignan on Saturday.

Dobson, who has been playing Premier League in Australia for the Raiders, is due to arrive in France today.

Jones is out for two months as he recovers from a broken arm.