BULLS 8 - 22 RAIDETTES | MATCH REPORT

The Bulls fell to their first defeat of the season in tough conditions at Bartercard Odsal Stadium yesterday against the Oulton Raidettes despite a second half fightback.

Oulton got the game underway and before long were penalised for a high shot on the first tackle.

The Bulls were then under pressure and Oulton’s Sophie Oram dived in for the first try of the afternoon in the corner, the kick however fell short of the posts and Oulton had a 0-4 lead three minutes into the game.

Sixteen minutes into the game, the Bulls came forward and were ten metres out from the Oulton line however a pass was cut out by an Oulton player who then raced down the length of the field before diving under the posts for Oulton’s 2^nd try of the afternoon. The kick directly in front of the posts was good and Oulton had a 0-10 lead.

Both teams than had positive spells throughout the rest of the first half however the wet conditions resulted in quite a few errors being made by both times.

On the stroke of halftime, Oulton tried to kick a neat grubber through, but the Bulls defence was aware to the danger and knocked the ball dead. The Oulton restart however saw the visitors barge over the line to get their third try of the afternoon. The conversion was then kicked wide, and Oulton took a 0-14 lead into halftime.

The Bulls got the second half underway and from the restart, Oulton went over again from close range to go further ahead and lead 0-18 but again the kick was wide.

Three minutes later the Bradford line came under more pressure before Oulton went over in the corner however the conversion fell short of the posts. 46 minutes gone and Oulton had a strong 0-22 lead over the Bulls.

Four minutes after Oulton extended their lead, the Bulls came forward and Ellen Strafford barged over the line to score the first try of the afternoon for the Bulls. The kick however fell short of the posts and Oulton’s lead was cut to 4-22.

With 71 minutes gone the Bulls came forward again. They tried to kick a grubber through but Oulton knocked it dead. The resulting GLDO was then gathered by the Bulls and after some nice passes Ellen Strafford pushed over the line for her and the Bulls’ 2^nd try of the game. The kick again was short however leaving the score at 8-22.

BRADFORD BULLS WOMEN: Charlotte McCauliffe, Emily Evans, Annabelle Jackson, Charlotte Cawthra, Kylie Appleyard, Jamie-Leigh Scott, Lucy Butterfield, Beatriz Furtado, Ellen Strafford, Georgia Waterhouse, Emily Simister, Mckenzie Boocock, Sarah Garland. INTERCHANGES: Ellie Parkin, Niamh Bellerby.

TRIES: Strafford (2)