A RECORD number of people watched a spirited Bradford Bulls Women as they bowed out of the cup.

In a clash between two Super League titans, Castleford Tigers beat the Bulls 48-8 at the quarter-final stage to the joy of their home fans.

A total of 1,492 supporters turned up at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, which broke the old attendance record a women's game in the UK.

It was always going to be a tough ask for the Bulls, as Castleford went into the game with an unbeaten record in 2019.

The game couldn't have started much worse for the visitors either.

Within five minutes, Rhiannion Marshall got one of her two game tries to take the Tigers into an early lead.

Just moments later the hosts stretched into a 10-0 lead courtesy of Maisie Lumb.

It looked as if the game was going to head out of reach already, when Castleford were next on the scoresheet again, through Kelsey Gentles.

But, channelling their inner Bradford spirit, the Bulls pulled one back.

Paige Costello set Savannah Andrade on the left wing and she made no mistake, charging through the Castleford defence before planting the ball over the line.

The hosts responded, but Amy Hardcastle managed to take the Bulls in at a surmountable 18-8 with her try.

Unfortunately for the visitors though, the second period began as the first half had.

Castleford were 18 points clear in just 15 minutes thanks to another Gentles effort, as well as one for Tamzin Renouf.

Four minutes later, Marshall completed her brace, just before being taken off with an injury.

The one-way traffic continued from there, with the pick of the game's tries coming from Georgia Roche.

A Bulls defence which had battled hard throughout their bombardment during the game were powerless to preventing a chipped ball over the top of their line from Roche.

She then charged on to collect her own kick and crossed under the sticks to rub further salt into Bradford wounds.

Bulls will be glad to see the back of their Challenge Cup conquerors for now, having lost at home to the Tigers in their last league game.

But, they will need to exorcise their Castleford demons before long if they fancy a tilt at the title.

The Bulls sit four points adrift of the Super League leaders and have to play them away again on August 4th.

First up though is a home derby against third-placed Leeds Rhinos.