Star full-back Caitlin Beevers aims to extend 100 per cent record as Leeds Rhinos begin Women's Challenge Cup defence against Bradford Bulls

Rhinos begin their defence of the trophy on Sunday when they take on Bradford Bulls at Wakefield Trinity’s Mobile Rocket Stadium, Belle Vue (3.30pm).

The behind closed doors quarter-final is a showdown between the last two clubs to win the Challenge Cup.

Bulls were champions in 2017 when their side, which beat Featherstone Rovers in the decider, included current Leeds coach Lois Forsell.

Rhinos lifted the silverware at the first attempt the following year and retained it 12 months later, both against Castleford Tigers.

“With us winning it twice, we want to be retaining that cup,” Beevers - who has scored in every Challenge Cup tie she has played in - pledged.

“If we can do that, it makes everything sweeter and I think if we take the same attitude into every game there’s no reason why we can’t do the treble.”

Beevers played on a wing in the 2018 Cup final victory at Warrington before switching to full-back the following year in Bolton.

Of her record of scoring in every Challenge Cup tie, she said: “I didn’t know that, it’s a bit of a shock, but it is just something that happens - everything comes from the team performance.”

Belle Vue was the scene of Rhinos 72-0 Super League win over Featherstone Rovers last Sunday, two weeks after they began their campaign with a 68-16 defeat of York City Knights in their first game for 555 days.

“It is very encouraging, but at the same time I don’t think the scorelines represent the games correctly,” Beevers said of Rhinos’ start.

“If you look at the game we played last weekend against Featherstone, they are very tough opposition, they are very strong and they did give us a good game.

“We just played probably one of the best games we’ve played in a while, we were quite fortunate to come out with that score.

“I think leading up to the other games, these are the games we need, we need to really learn, when we are in front, not to get bored of doing the simple things.

“We have to just carry on doing the things we do best and the things that could get us to finals.”

Like all teams, Rhinos are still finding their feet after the entire 2020 campaign was wiped out because of coronavirus.

Beevers reflected: “It has been so long - 18 months - and finally getting back into the swing of things with the girls is good,

“A few of the under-19s have come through and we’ve got a new signing, Tara [Moxon] from Wakefield, so it is good to get the team together and get used to seeing how each other play.”

Castleford take on Warrington Wolves in a quarter-final at Victoria Park, Warrington, on Sunday (noon) before Featherstone face St Helens at the same venue (3.30pm).

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