BRADFORD Bulls Women fell to a 42-22 defeat at the hands of Castleford Tigers Women in a mouth-watering top-of-the-table clash at Odsal Stadium.

With three wins out of the first four Women’s Super League games in 2019, the home side went into the clash full of confidence and drew first blood following a cagey opening quarter.

Following a Castleford error, a slick move to the right edge found the hands of Amy Hardcastle, who powered over despite the attention of the Tigers’ defence.

Against the run of play, the visitors struck back immediately following an interception – Rhiannon Marshall touching down.

Katy Tordoff then went over in the corner for Castleford, who took the lead for the first time of the evening.

Georgia Roche and Emma Slow then added successive scores to hand the visitors a 20-6 advantage at the break.

A period of Castleford pressure paid off early in the second half when Tara Stanley added to the Tigers’ lead.

Marshall was then sent off following an off-the-ball incident that saw the visitors reduced to 12 players for the remainder of the match.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Roche grabbed her second before Maisie Lumb’s try.

Sarah Dunn, Ecem Acikgoz and captain Danielle Bose all scored late on - either side of Lumb and Stanley’s second tries of the evening - as the home side fought back and ended the game the stronger of the two sides.

BRADFORD BULLS WOMEN: Leah Jones, Savannah Andrade, Amy Hardcastle, Sarah Dunn, Haylie Hields, Millie Taylor, Stacey Grenwood, Lauren Hickey, Grace Ramsden, Debbie Smith, Olivia Wood, Chrissi Nettleton, Danielle Bose. INTERCHANGES: Evie Kilburn, Rebecca Conlon, Manina Spurr, Ecem Acikgoz.

TRIES: Amy Hardcastle, Danielle Bose, Sarah Dunn, Ecem Acikgoz.