4 days Ago
BRADFORD Bulls Women grabbed their first competitive win of the season, as they thrashed Rochdale Mayfield 46-6 in Dudley Hill. The two sides were facing off in the last-16 of the Women’s Challenge Shield, a similar competition to the 1895 Cup, in that it is secondary to the Challenge Cup. Bulls Women are not part of the Challenge Cup this year, but this is a competition they have a realistic chance of winning, starting their campaign in superb style on Sunday.
Bailey Alexander stood out, as she scored a superb hat-trick for the hosts. Alexander opened the scoring after five minutes in BD4, crossing the whitewash off the back of a great break from Paigan Taylor. Courtney Marsh then produced a neat step and finish before converting her own try, while skipper Ellen Johnson-Strafford was next to get over the line.
Marsh’s second successful conversion put Bulls 16-0 in front, before Alexander powered over for her second try. Bailey Alexander caused problems for the Rochdale Mayfield defence all afternoon, eventually helping herself to a hat-trick. (Image: Martin Taylor) Bulls led 20-0 at the break, but Rochdale hit back at the start of the second half with a converted try to give themselves hope.
Yet a persistent Hannah Donald defied the odds to squeeze over the line for Bradford, while Taylor scored soon after following a well-worked scrum. Jess Clements then crossed for an emotional try, her first since becoming a mum last year, with young Phoebe Allott adding the extras. More excellent work from Taylor set up Alexander for the simple task of going over for her hat-trick, Allott converting.
And fittingly it was Clements who scored Bulls’ ninth and final try right on the hooter, Allott adding the two points to seal a 46-6 victory. The win puts Bulls into the quarter-finals, where they face a tough ask at a strong Salford Red Devils side this Sunday..
