STEVE Crossley revealed an emotional team meeting and the Odsal atmosphere helped guide Bulls to victory over Leeds Rhinos.

The Bulls skipper says his side's Coral Challenge Cup upset victory was the best game he has ever played in.

The Bradford-born prop also said a meeting among the Bulls squad the night before the game inspired them to the 24-22 triumph.

The 29-year-old said: "It's brilliant. There had not been a derby since 2014. It's absolutely fantastic.

"We have a really young squad this year. The senior players have helped the younger lads.

"We had a team meeting the night before the game and had a heart-to-heart. There were some emotional words said.

"We worked our backsides off for each other against Leeds.

"It was the best game I have ever played in, it was the best atmosphere."

Crossley is continuing to be a mainstay of the Bulls' line-up after making his 200th career appearance in their Betfred Championship defeat at Toronto Wolfpack earlier this month.

Tom Grant will referee this Saturday's Summer Bash clash with Halifax at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road.

Meanwhile, four members of the Bulls Women's team have been called up to represent Yorkshire's Academy this weekend as part of their Origin series against Lancashire.

Olivia Wood, Casey Rhodes, Millie Taylor and Evie Kilburn are all poised to feature following their first county call-ups, with the fixture against Lancashire at Rochdale Mayfield on Friday night.

The quartet have played key roles as Kirsty Moroney and Beth Sutcliffe's side have enjoyed three wins out of their opening four games to 2019 - with Taylor grabbing her first try of the season in the 58-6 win over Wakefield Trinity.

A dominant opening day win against Featherstone Rovers has been followed by comprehensive victories over Wakefield Trinity and York City Knights to kick off the duo's reign in style.

Yorkshire Academy Women will be looking to repeat their feat of 2018 by securing back-to-back successes against their Lancashire counterparts - following a 54-14 win last time out.