ACADEMY MATCH REPORT | LEEDS VS BRADFORD

Bradford Bulls’ Academy side impressed in their first run out of 2024 despite falling to a last minute 26-22 against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday.

The match, which was the first under Glenn Morrison’s stewardship, saw 10 former Scholarship starlets make their first appearance in the Academy set up. 

Leeds got off to a flying start with Marcus Qareqare going over in the corner but the Bulls hit back soon after. 

Jamie Gill, fresh off his try scoring appearance for the first team against Hull FC two weeks ago, crashed over from close range. 

Bradford then scored on the following set to extend their advantage, a flowing move between hands on the left edge saw Demir Acarer score.

The Young Bulls then grabbed their third of the afternoon, Sam Ackroyd’s kick cross field was collected by Sam Spencer, who touched down in the corner. 

Joe Diskin’s try for the Rhinos reduced the arrears but Bradford held a slender lead heading into the break. 

Ackroyd turned provider again after the interval, his pass putting Connor Sayner through a gap with the full-back finishing well in the corner. 

A crash ball on the Bradford line saw Jayemm Oladipupo get Leeds within two points, but an error on the restart saw the Bulls get the ball back and they took full advantage. 

Ackroyd and Sayner combined to send George McKinley over in the corner. 

Two tries in the final ten minutes – from Presley Cassell and Harry Smith – saw Leeds steal the spoils late on but it was an encouraging first outing for the #BullsNextGen under Glenn Morrison. 

BRADFORD BULLS ACADEMY: Connor Sayner, Will Smith, Sam Spencer, Harvey Duckworth, Demir Acarer, Sam Ackroyd, George Rayner, Jamie Gill, Lewis Owens, Alfie Leake, Riley Sunderland, Conlan Mawson, Freddie Butler. INTERCHANGES: Aiden Wright, Tyde King, Isaac Oughton, Lucas Child, George McKinley, Patrick O’Reilly-Milner, Henry Welsh. 

TRIES: Acarer, Spencer, Sayner, McKinley, Gill

GOALS: Ackroyd 1/4, Rayner 0/1