Bradford Bulldogs juniors see Sheffield earn hat-trick of Yorkshire derby bragging rights

REPLY: Mackenzie Barker got Bulldogs' Under-18s on the board in the second period but it was tough going against a strong Sheffield team. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints

SHEFFIELD came into Bradford and earned derby bragging rights over Bradford by winning all three encounters between the Yorkshire rivals at the weekend.

Home advantage proved to count for nothing as Bulldogs’ Under-18s were soundly beaten 10-1 by their South Yorkshire opponents.

That came 24 hours after the Bulldogs’ Under-14s lost 5-3 in their Division One North clash with Sheffield. A Challenge match between a Bulldogs’ Select Under-14s team and Sheffield ‘B’ also went the way of the south as the visitors prevailed 2-1.

First period strikes from Eddie Harper and Ben Roebuck put Sheffield 18s in control at Bradford Ice Arena on Sunday. 

By the time Mackenzie Barker got the home side on the board at 36.09 the visitors had already got themselves 4-0 ahead, Sam Keeling and a second for Harper doing the damage. 

Barker’s strike was an all-too-brief reprieve, though, as an impressive Sheffield ensured they went in at the second break 6-1 ahead through two more goals in 19 seconds, the first from Jason Jia at 37.19, the second being the hat-trick marker for Harper.

Gabe Fisher made it 7-1 early in the third, with Keeling, Euan Williams and a second for Fisher completing the scoring.

The previous day, Bulldogs’ Under-14s were undone by an industrious Sheffield team, who fully merited their 5-3 triumph.

The visitors went ahead with a shorthanded strike inside five minutes when George Horne's shot on net was deflected past Jacob Mardell.

ON TARGET: Danny Harrison got on the board for the Under-14s, but they fell 5-3 at home to Sheffield.

Danny Harrison quickly levelled from close range for the Bulldogs and that was how it stayed until the second period when a three-goal burst inside four minutes did for the home team.

Alfie Longmate restored Sheffield’s lead at 20.14, their advantage being doubled just over two minutes later by Lewis Ball. 

Longmate then grabbed his second and Sheffield’s fourth at 24.09 and although Bradford reduced the deficit through a second from Harrison just over three minutes later they were soon trailing by three again when Ball fired home his second of the game at 28.14.

A hat-trick marker on the power play from Harrison at 31.05 gave the home side hope but, although they spent almost the last five minutes on the man advantage - including two minutes of 5-on-3 - Sheffield remained resolute to secure a hard-earned, deserved win.

Shortly after, a Bulldogs’ Select team took on Sheffield ‘B’ in a Challenge match and it was another close encounter.

After a goalless first period, the deadlock was broken when Finlay Sharpe beat Jack Atkin with 18.42 on the clock. 

Just under two minutes later, the visitors doubled their lead through Eva Szollosy and that was how it stayed until the third period when Bradford pushed hard for a way back into their game.

They got their reward through a Thomas Taylor strike at 34.51 but, even though they outshot their opponents by 12-5, they couldn’t find a way past the impressive Finn Wilson in net.