BRADFORD Bulls Women are out of the Betfred Challenge Cup, after losing their Group 2 clash against their Huddersfield Giants counterparts.

Having suffered a heavy 72-0 loss against one of the tournament favourites, Leeds Rhinos, in their opening game, Bulls knew they had to beat Huddersfield at Horsfall Stadium on Sunday in order to keep their hopes of making the cup quarter-finals alive.

Leeds were already through, after the fourth team in the group, Oulton Raidettes forfeited their clash against the Rhinos after being unable to raise a team.

And Huddersfield confirmed their last-eight spot with a game to spare too, largely thanks to a scintillating first-half display, which put them 26-4 up at the break.

Bradford fought back well in the second half, narrowly outscoring the Giants, but the deficit proved too much to claw back, as they eventually lost 32-12.

Bulls Women are due to face Oulton in their final group game, a dead rubber, on Sunday, May 21.

Seven days later, they return to Super League Group Two action with a trip to Barrow Raiders.

Bulls are currently third in the six-team table, having drawn their first and only game so far, 12-12 at home to Leigh Leopards last month.

But first, Women’s Rugby League Nines returns to Victoria Park in Warrington this Sunday.

This year’s competition will once again see all 12 Betfred Women’s Super League sides taking part, including Bulls, alongside ‘invitation’ teams including Leamington Royals, Cardiff Demons, Newcastle Thunder, London Broncos and Workington Town.

Teams have been drawn into five groups with the top team from each – plus one wildcard – making it through to Finals Day at Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday, June 24.

Bradford are joined in Group Two with Leeds Rhinos, Salford Red Devils and Cardiff.