Bulldogs Junior Review: Under-12s and Under-14s in action

ONCE A BULLDOG (from left): Robson Bagott, Arnie Evans, Thomas Lee and Jacob Shaw

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-12s showed further signs of their progress this season when they came from behind to pick up their first point of the season in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Leeds Junior Knights Whites. 

The hosts first recovered from falling behind after just 23 seconds, then again from being 3-1 down before leaving the best until last when they scored a late equaliser to claim a share of the spoils. 

It was Finley Jackson who broke the deadlock early on to put the visitors ahead, but the hosts got back on level terms through an Evan Bulmer strike at 7.28.

The Knights went into the first break two goals ahead, however, Isaac Barraclough on hand to restore their lead at 10.30 before Leo Vengis doubled his team’s lead just over five minutes later.

But the Bulldogs came roaring back in the second period, making it a one-goal game through a terrific shorthanded strike from captain Bentley McEwen at 19.25 before Bulmer doubled his tally with an equalising goal in the 25th minute. 

Again Leeds got themselves ahead in the game when Vengis scored for a second time past Bulldogs’ goalie Jacob Shaw and it looked like the Knights would make it a double over their local rivals having beaten them on home ice already this season.

But, with just 80 seconds remaining, George Vlarke made himself the hero when he made it 4-4, earning his team a deserved point in an enjoyable and competitive game for both teams. 

Arnie Evans got the Bulldogs’ Spirit of the Game, while Robson Bagott - who posted an assist on Bulmer’s second goal - picked up the Hardest Worker Digger helmet.

Shortly after the Bulldogs Under-14s took the ice against Solihull Junior Barons for the second weekend running.
It proved a tough afternoon down in the West Midlands a week earlier and while the Bulldogs again came off second-best - going down 15-3 - there were plenty of positives for coaches Kirsten Deighton and Darren Lucas to work on. 

It was destined to be an uphill struggle after the Bulldogs found themselves 3-0 down inside five minutes through goals from Riley Hubbock, Kyle Bower and Cooper Pearman. 

But captain Thomas Lee had other ideas and got his team on the board with a reply at 6.38 before doubling his tally just under three minutes later with a shorthanded strike that made it a one-goal game. 

But Solihull found the perfect answer of their own with seven more unanswered goals coming before the end of the first period, Hubbock completing his hat-trick, with Pearman, Ethan Flowers, Nathaniel Freimanis and Darragh Gantley all finding the net. 

In the second period Hubbock struck twice more, while Pearman completed his hat-trick as Jackson Jordan and Bayley Bland also found the net. 

The Bulldogs persevered throughout, though, with Lee rewarded for his performance when completing his hat-trick in the 22nd minute, earning him his team’s Spirit of the Game award, with Jacob Shaw earning himself the Hardest Worker Digger award.