The Bulls Women fell to their first defeat of the season in tough conditions at Bartercard Odsal Stadium on Sunday, losing 22-8 against the Oulton Raidettes despite a second half fightback.

In their final friendly before they kick off their Challenge Cup campaign in BD6 this Saturday at Odsal, with their opening Group Three clash against Wakefield Trinity, Bulls were on the back foot early on.

Oulton dived in for the first try of the afternoon in the corner after only three minutes, with the conversion attempt falling short of the posts.

On the quarter-hour mark, the Bulls came forward and were 10 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 the away side’s second try of the afternoon.

The kick directly in front of the posts was good and Oulton had a 10-0 lead.

On the stroke of half-time, 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 14-0 lead into the break.

The Bulls got the second half underway and from the restart, Oulton went over again from close range to go further ahead, leading 18-0 after the extras were struck wide.

Three minutes later, the Bradford line came under more pressure before Oulton went over in the corner.

The conversion fell short of the posts, but with 46 minutes gone, Oulton held an imposing 22-0 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 was missed, but Oulton’s lead was at least cut to 22-4.

With 71 minutes gone the Bulls came forward again, as they tried to kick a grubber through, but Oulton knocked it dead.

The resulting goal line drop out was then gathered by the Bulls and after some nice passes, Strafford pushed over the line for her second try of the game.

The kick again fell short, with neither side able to add to the score thereafter, the game finishing 22-8 in Oulton’s favour.