Archive
Sun, 27 April 2008
Bradford Bulls V Wigan Warriors
Bradford Bulls: Dave Halley, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala, Ben Jeffries, Paul Deacon, Andy Lynch, Terry Newton, Sam Burgess, David Solomona, Jamie Langley, Glenn Morrison
Subs: Iestyn Harris, Chris Nero, Craig Kopczak, Simon Finnigan
Tries: James Evans, Shontayne Hape, Semi Tadulala, Ben Jeffries
Goals: Paul Deacon(5)
Wigan Warriors: Mathers, Colbon, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, O'Loughlin, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, Bailey, J.Tomkins
Subs: Hock, Paleaaesina, O'Carroll, Barrett.
Tries: Richards, Bailey. Goals: Richards 2,
REPORT
Bradford Bulls survived a tense finish to deny Wigan Warriors second place in engage Super League.
The Bulls seemed set for a convincing victory after blitzing their Grattan Stadium visitors with early tries from Semi Tadulala, Shontayne Hape and Ben Jeffries.
Wigan responded through Pat Richards and Phil Bailey in the second half but the Bulls just had enough and James Evans settled the win in the last minute.
Wigan famously overturned a 30-6 deficit to win a play-off classic on their last visit to Odsal and it looked like a similar comeback might be required after the Bulls hit the ground running.
Warriors talisman Trent Barrett, whose future at the club has been the subject of speculation this week, began the game on the bench to ease his return after minor knee surgery.
But the architect of last September’s stunning fightback was soon required as the Bulls powered over for three tries in the opening 15 minutes.
Tadulala claimed the first when Glenn Morrison put him over in the corner after six minutes and Hape doubled the advantage with a storming run from a David Solomona pass.
Terry Newton then created the third when his heavy-looking kick bounced kindly behind the posts to sit up nicely for Jeffries to pounce.
Fit-again scrum-half Paul Deacon, restored as kicker despite Iestyn Harris landing a club record 15 goals in last week’s 98-6 Carnegie Challenge Cup rout of Toulouse, converted one and added a later penalty.
Wigan struggled to gain momentum with one promising move ending as Darrell Goulding tossed the ball into touch and another when Evans got back to beat Richards to a Barrett kick.
A powerful Iafeta Palea’aesina break also came to nothing and all Wigan had to show for their first-half efforts was a Richards penalty in added-on time.
The Bulls again looked the dominant force at the start of the second half with Harris going close and further pressure almost creating a chance for Evans.
But Wigan’s defence proved tougher than earlier and held firm before Richards offered the visitors hope by sneaking a try in the corner just after the hour.
Deacon edged the Bulls further in front with another penalty but Wigan set up a tense finish with a controversial second try.
Mick Higham powered forward after the Bulls had thought Gareth Hock had knocked on and then there seemed a suspicion of a forward pass before Bailey touched down.
Richards converted to cut the deficit to 18-12 but Deacon eased a sense of growing tension with another goal of his own.
Evans made sure of the victory in the final minute with a try out wide after a break down the right and Deacon converted.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Bulls coach Steve McNamara was pleased with his side in both attack and defence as they secured a win which lifts them into fourth place.
McNamara said: "I thought we were very good from start to finish. We scored enough points in dreadful conditions and I thought we defended stoutly enough to prevent Wigan from creating enough chances.
"It was probably as well as we have controlled a game. Momentum can change quickly but I felt we were in control for most of the game.
"We were very disciplined in everything we did."
Wigan coach Brian Noble did his best to deflect questions concerning the future of playmaker Trent Barrett following the loss.
Rumours suggesting Barrett is to seek a release from his contract to return home to Australia have grown in strength this week with his wife reportedly homesick.
Barrett, who enjoyed an outstanding first season in Britain last year, is less than halfway through a three-year contract with the Warriors.
"As far as I am concerned Trent is staying with us, all the noises have been coming from Australia," Noble said.
"He is totally focused and playing with us this year. Everyone has personal circumstances and what we don't do is discuss them in the media. It is an issue for Trent Barrett and the club."
"We did some positive things but we didn't start very well and Bradford were deserved winners in the end," said Noble, the former Bulls coach. "The scoreline is a fair reflection.
"It is disappointing but we didn't start very well. To go 16-0 down against a quality team was a bit too much of a mountain to climb but, having said that, at 18-12 with six or seven minutes to go, I fancied us for another score."