Hooker Cade Cust's late try sealed an opening Betfred Super League win for Hull FC as Bradford's first top-flight appearance in 12 years ended in a gutsy 27-20 defeat at the MKM Stadium.
Australian Cust barged over in the final minute, moments after man-of-the-match Will Pryce had landed a crucial late drop-goal for the hosts, who were given a huge scare by the Bulls on their long-awaited Super League return.
First-half tries from Joe Batchelor, Harvey Barron and Davy Litten, all converted by Pryce, had given the home side an 18-10 half-time lead.
But Bradford, for whom Waqa Blake and Connor Wynne touched down before the break, came storming back in the second period and after Hull-born wing Wynne's second try, two Rowan Milnes' penalties had edged the visitors 20-18 ahead, only for the Black and Whites' late efforts to settle it.
Since Bulls' last Super League fixture in 2014, the three-time Grand Final winners have endured two relegations - including a spell in the third tier - three administrations and a liquidation before they reformed in 2017.
Their fans travelled in large numbers along the M62 for a landmark day in the club's history and they cheered their side off at full-time.
Hull, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season, were without key forwards John Asiata and Herman Ese'ese, while summer signing Jake Arthur, Leeds coach Brad Arthur's son, was also missing through injury.
Toulouse Olympique announced their return to Super League with a bang as they secured a nail-biting 18-16 win over Wakefield Trinity at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.
The hosts held a slender lead of their own at 10-8 heading into the last 15 minutes but lost control of the game as the French side added two tries and a penalty to take the victory.
Olly Ashall-Bolt proved the match-winner on the night, starting and ending the scoring with a pair of smart finishes.
He got the ball rolling after a scrum on the left after 16 minutes, but a smooth move from Trinity that ended with Josh Rourke going over and Max Jowitt converting made it 6-4 to the hosts.
Cesar Rouge set up Paul Ulberg for Toulouse's second when he picked him out on the wing but hit the woodwork with the subsequent kick.
Wakefield applied plenty of second-half pressure before finally adding a second try just after the hour, a sharp team move providing Cameron Scott with the opening to reclaim the lead.
Jowitt was penalised for a shoulder barge as he defended his line, Rouge equalising from the tee, before Toulouse produced two scores in six minutes - Romeo Tropis and the tricky Ashall-Bolt turning the tide. Remarkably, for the third time in a row, Rouge's conversion attempt bounced back off the posts.
One more twist was threatened when Will Tate collected Jake Trueman's pass and Jowitt slotted his kick but Trinity were not able to finish the job.
The victory for Toulouse means two out of three of the promoted sides picked up wins on opening weekend, with Bradford suffering a slender seven-point loss.
Your Site will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on
