5 hrs

BULLS WOMEN VS SHEFFIELD MATCH REPORT

Bradford Bulls Women put in a battling display before falling to a 24-8 defeat against Sheffield Eagles at Bartercard Odsal Stadium.

The Bulls conceded in the first ten minutes as prop forward Alisha Clayton bagged her first of the evening after benefiting from a set reset. A forceful run saw her get under the sticks and get the first four points on the board.

A successful conversion from Claire Fisher put the Eagles up by six points.

Bradford’s defence stood strong and forced a number of errors from the opposition but with the Bulls on the attack, a pass ten yards out was intercepted with Clayton running the length of the field for her second of the afternoon.

Another successful conversion from Fisher saw the away side up by 0-12.

Determination from the Bulls saw them get there first four points on the board just before halftime. Jess Clements charged her way over the try line after receiving a pass from Lloretta-Clare Moorhouse.

Jessie Barker was unfortunate not to convert as she hit the post and then the crossbar before the ball bounced short.

The Eagles came out of the second half with a strong attack but had butterfingers when it came to them grounding tries. Two knock ons were given as the ball was not grounded when put over the line in the right corner.

Just over ten minutes after the second half Bailey Alexander dived over the try line to secure another four points for the Bulls. After another unsuccessful conversion the Bulls trailed 8-12.

Another two tries were secured by the Eagles in the final 20 minutes; Brook Price found herself free on the wing and sprinted her way over the try-line and round the back of the sticks.

To finish the game off Clayton got her hattrick of tries after forcing herself over the line.

A 100% successful conversion rate for Fisher who saw the result end 08-24.

Bradford: Allott, Evans, Taylor, Barker, Pace, Marsh, Butterfield, Clements, Moorhouse, Magonya, Johnson-Strafford, Shaw, Alexander

Substitutes: Sharpe, Walton, Burn, Waterhouse

18^th player: Jarvis

Tries: Clements (34), Alexander (53)

Sheffield: Irimagha, Holocuk, Simpson, Thomas, Price, Lewis, Scott, Clayton, Eastwood, Rainey, Auger, Evans, Fisher

Substitutions: Deharabi, Fleming, Saunders, Mcgready

Tries: Clayton (10,32,68), Price (64)

Conversions: Fisher (4/4)