BRADFORD Bulls Women bowed out of the Challenge Cup with a bruising 70-0 defeat to Leeds Rhinos over the weekend.

It was a tough start to the week regardless for the Bulls, who saw Savannah Andrade and Olivia Wood, two of their better players, join rivals York.

The City Knights also snapped up five Castleford players in a real signing spree.

With a very young and inexperienced squad, boss Mark Seal admits they are building to get into a position of strength in the next two or three years.

They had been unable to train until right before the start of the season due to Covid restrictions, while some teams, like St Helens, could do so as they fell under the elite banner.

It means that some blowouts are to be expected for the time being, and an 86-0 loss to Saints on the opening day of the Super League season followed by a 38-0 defeat to Wigan in round two.

And with the injuries building up for the female Bulls too, Leeds were massive favourites heading into Sunday's clash.

There was absolutely no doubt that the team spirit and passion was there for Bradford against the Rhinos, but it was always going to be a massive ask against a talented outfit.

Elle Frain, Chloe Kerrigan and Fran Goldthorp all crossed the whitewash for Leeds early on, while former Bradford forward Danika Priim went powering over under the posts with 20 minutes played.

Goldthorp then grabbed a second before Sophie Robinson went over to make it 30-0 at the break.

Tasha Gaines, Caitlin Beevers and Tara Moxon all crossed for a try apiece after the interval, before Goldthorp helped herself to a hat-trick.

Hanna Butcher got herself on the scoresheet with a lovely solo effort, before Frain and Beevers both got their second of the afternoon.

Goldthorp rounded off the try action for the day with her fourth, while Courtney Winfield-Hill landed seven conversions to make the final score 70-0.

Bulls Women are next in action this Sunday against Huddersfield, who are also without a win this season.