Bradford Bulls Ladies and Featherstone Rovers battled it out for the 2017 Challenge Cup Final on Sunday and in an extremely entertaining game it was Bradford Bulls Ladies who lifted the trophy winning 50-16.
Featherstone Rovers opened the scoring after dominating the early exchanges when Brogan Churm pounced on a loose ball with Nat Gilmour adding the conversion. Bradford hit back quickly with a try from Amy Hardcastle.
Featherstone however continued to press and Sarah Dunn went over from close range with Gilmour once again adding the extras.
Bradford Bulls stared to really come into the game and soon narrowed the gap with a try from Savannah Andrade and this was closely followed by some superb footwork from Bradford’s Charlotte Booth which resulted in a third try for Bradford the conversion by Clare Garner gave Bradford the lead for the first time in the game.
Bradford pressed on and scored another converted try this time from Shona Hoyle from close range 20-12.
Before the half time whistle Bradford were firmly in the driving seat when Lois Forsell crossed for a try 24-12.
In the second half and Bradford again pressed for the line but outstanding Featherstone defence held them out, however the pressure eventually told and Lauren Hickey crossed for a try for the leaders.
Kirsty Moroney crossed for a fine try for Bradford with Jess Courtman adding the goal. Amy Hardcastle crossed for her second shortly after with Courtman adding the goal. Jess Courtman then crossed for a try of her own and added the conversion.
Featherstone battled throughout and did not let their heads drop, five minutes from time Kayleigh Bullman crashed over for Featherstone. The win was sealed for Bradford Bulls with a late effort from Captain Kirsty Moroney. A fantastic effort from both teams with Bradford Bulls Ladies deservedly lifting the trophy. 50-16.
Bradford Bulls Ladies scorers
Tries: Amy Hardcastle 2, Savannah Andrade, Charlotte Booth, Shona Hoyle, Lois Forsell, Lauren Hickey, Kirsty Moroney, Jess Courtman
Goals: Clare Garner 2, Jess Courtman 3
Featherstone Rovers Ladies scorers
Tries: Brogan Churm, Sarah Dunn
Goals: Nat Gilmour 2
Half time score : Bradford Bulls Ladies 24 Featherstone Rovers Ladies 12
Full Time score : Bradford Bulls Ladies 50 Featherstone Rovers Ladies 16
Bradford Bulls Ladies team:
Charlotte Booth, Charlene Henegan, Jess Courtman, Amy Hardcastle, Lisa Taylor, Beth Sutcliffe, Kirsty Moroney, Lauren Hickey, Lois Forsell, Stacey Wilson, Shona Hoyle, Aimee Staveley, Dani Swaine, Rhiannon Marshall, Savannah Andrade, Cheryl Armitage, Joanne Ollerensha, Haylie Hields, Stacey White, Claire Garner, Debbie Smith
Featherstone Rovers Ladies team:
Sarah Dunn, Kayleigh Bulma, Brogan Churm, Jas Hazel, Andrea Dobson, Sinead Peach, Emma Slowe, Mags Lowish, Erica Zane, Jas Bell, Grace Field, Manina Spurr, Lauren Roberts, Natalie Gilmour, Zoe Teece, Jess Hammond.
Women’s Challenge Shield
In the Challenge Shield York City Knights took on the Army Ladies and in an extremely tense encounter, befitting of a cup final, York snatched the win with a last minute try scored by Natalie Carr 26-24.
The game was a real nail biter from start to finish, both sides shared the spoils 10-10 going into the break and the lead changed hands numerous times until the very end. Natalie Carr raced over in the corner to seal a superb cup victory for York City Knights against an extremely strong Army side who battled hard throughout.
Half time score : York City Knights 10 Army Ladies 10
Full Time score : York City Knights 26 Army Ladies 24
York City Knights team:
Carly Hilton, Kay Rollinson, Ashleigh Hyde, Katie Langan, Sam Boyes, Katie Hall, Paige Stevens, Cairo Newby, Daisy Sanderson, Natalie Carr, Natalie Collins, Natalie Collins, Natalie Sleightholm, Lauren Powell, Gemma Kay, Chloe James, Hayley Worthingon, Mary Tiplady, Alisha Clayton
The Army team:
Rosemond Kaeselau, Gillian Farmer-Campbell, Charlotte Wrigley, Rachel Mahony, Georgina Cant, Georgie James, Bethan Lloyd, Paige Dexter, Jester Wuehr, Matilda Butler, Hannah Knox, Ella Donnell, Toni Thompkins, Shannon Reilly, Cal Ibbitson, T Tuuilovoni, Sarah Ashton, Kelly Jay, Sarah Winder, Elychia Watson
Report By Rebecca Bird
