FIRST EVER PDRL TEAM MAKE HISTORY

The Bradford Bulls, in association with the Bradford Bulls Foundation, fielded a team in the first Physical Disability Rugby League (“PDRL”) Festival of the 2022 Season, held at Eastmoor RL near Wakefield.

 The event, played with teams of nine players, under modified rules and games of 25 minutes, consisted of teams from Castleford, Leeds, Wakefield, Warrington and Wigan as well as Bradford who are in their first season. 

The Bulls played three games in all, first up Castleford, followed by Wigan and finished with a game against old rivals Leeds Rhinos. Wearing kit used by the first team when it played against the Leeds Rhinos in the Rob Burrow testimonial game, the PDRL team were suitably inspired to put on a good show. 

Against Castleford, the Bradford were soon down by 18 to the more experienced team. However, the Bulls rallied, and a try by Jamie Readyhough, the first try for a Bradford Bulls PDRL team, with a run from the half-way line pegged the score-line. 

A late try from Castleford meant the valiant Bulls ended up losing 24-6 in what was their first ever game. Second up, the Bradford Bulls played against a youthful Wigan side and whilst the Wigan side were always on top, a try from Captain Mick Colborn kept the Bradford Bulls interested until two late Wigan tries meant the final score ended up being 26-4. 

In the final game of the Festival, a Bulls team bolstered with a couple of players from the Wakefield team played a very strong, very well-drilled and very skilled Leeds Rhinos team, them having just beaten favourites Warrington in their previous game. A shock was on the cards when an early score from skipper Colborn meant the Bulls led 4-0. Leeds soon hit back to lead 6-4 but for a time there wasn’t much between the teams. 

However, late tries from Leeds extended their lead and when the final score ended 18-4, both teams were cheered off the pitch by supporters of all teams who had remained to see the hard-fought battle. 

The players of the Bradford Bulls PDRL team thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of competitive rugby having only just formed earlier this year. The team is entered into further festivals, including one to be held in Bradford later in the year. 

Proud not have been nilled in any of their games, new friends have been made and hopefully, now they have shown they can compete, it is hoped to grow the squad by attracting experienced players from the other teams, who have an affinity to the Bradford Bulls, as well as others new to playing the game.

Anyone interested in playing for the Bradford Bulls PDRL team should contact coach Ryan Hunkin by email: ryan.hunkin@bullsfoundation.org