Bradford Bulls made a stunning start against high-flying Sheffield Eagles in the Northern Women’s Championship at Odsal on Sunday, but faded away to lose 46-10.

They were unlucky too, as several players were forced off injured over the course of a bruising 80 minutes.

The result leaves them third-bottom of the table, with their play-off hopes and an immediate chance of a return to Super League realistically over.

But it was Bradford who went in front against second-placed Sheffield, Rebekah Grady intercepting a pass and sprinting more than 60 metres to score under the posts.

Sheffield hit straight back, but they were still 6-4 down midway through the first half, only to hit Bulls with a double strike.

Not only were Bulls suddenly staring at a 14-6 deficit, but they also lost Beatriz Furtado to a nasty looking injury.

The Eagles went 20-6 up by the break and added another converted try right at the start of the second half.

But some nice hands on the right allowed Bulls’ Emily Wright to bravely dive in to score at the corner under immense pressure, taking the hosts into double figures.

Sheffield responded emphatically, racing into a 42-10 lead by the hour mark, before adding a ninth and final try late on.