BULLS WOMEN RUN IN NINE TRIES

Bradford Bulls Women ran in nine tries to get their Challenge Shield campaign off to a winning start – beating Rochdale Mayfield 46-6 this afternoon.

Gail Johnson-Strafford’s side got off to the perfect start when after a break by the impressive Paigan Taylor, Bailey Alexander took advantage of a quick ruck to power over for her first try of the afternoon.

The Bulls enjoyed most of the territory in the early exchanges and a 4-0 lead soon became 10-0, when Courtney Marsh dummied and stepped past the Mayfield defence to score and tag on the extra two.

Captain Ellen Johnson-Strafford got off the mark with an opportunistic effort from dummy half, before Alexander extended Bradford’s advantage despite being temporarily reduced to 12 players. 

The second half got off to the worst possible start when the visitors dived over to get on the scoreboard, but the Bulls came back in impressive fashion. 

Hannah Donald somehow grounded the ball despite the attention of four Rochdale defenders, showing great determination to touch down. 

Taylor got the try her performance deserved soon after when a lovely set play from a scrum saw Alexander feed her winger to score in the corner. 

Jess Clements then scored her first try since returning to the sport following the birth of her first child with a trademark effort from close range. 

Taylor turned provider on this occasion after a rampant run down the right edge, she saw Alexander on her inside to stroll in for her third try of the contest. 

There was still time for Clements to bag another before the referee blew and the Bulls secured themselves a place in the quarter-finals. 

BRADFORD BULLS WOMEN: Phoebe Allott, Paigan Taylor, Bailey Alexander, Hannah Donald, Hollie Pace, Courtney Marsh, Lily Walton, Jess Clements, Ellen Johnson-Strafford, Michaela Magonya, Scarlett Penrose, Tracy Peet, Georgia Waterhouse. INTERCHANGES: Grace Waites, Beatriz Furtado, Millie Dearn, Vicki Gleadall, Emily Wright. 

TRIES: Alexander (3), Donald, Clements (2), Marsh, Taylor, Johnson-Strafford.

GOALS: Marsh (2/5), Allott (3/4)