Archive
Fri, 12 September 2008
Wigan Warriors V Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls: Michael Platt, James Evans, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Semi Tadulala, Paul Deacon, Ben Jeffries, Joe Vagana, Terry Newton, Andy Lynch, David Solomona, Simon Finnigan, Jamie Langley
Subs: Matt Cook, Iestyn Harris, Craig Kopczak, Glenn Morrison
Tries: Andy Lynch, Simon Finnigan
Goals: Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon(2)
Wigan Warriors: Mathers, Calderwood, Phelps, Carmont, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, Bailey, J. Tomkins.
Subs: Paleaaesina, Hock, O'Carroll, Smith.
Tries: Calderwood, Leuluai, Hansen, Tomkins, Hock.
Goals: Richards (5 from 7)
REPORT
The Wigan Warriors turned the Stobart Stadium red & white to inspire their team to an opening play-off victory over the Bradford Bulls for the second successive year.
The Warriors were forced to switch their elimination tie away from the JJB Stadium because of a fixture clash with Wigan Athletic but it proved to be of little inconvenience as they powered their way through to the semi-finals.
They came from 8-0 down to set up a showdown next Saturday with either Catalans Dragons or Warrington, with second-rower Gareth Hock grabbing the match-clinching try on his return from a five-match ban.
Bradford started brightly but the loss of captain Paul Deacon with a leg injury at half-time was a setback from which they never recovered.
The outcome marked a sad ending for Bulls prop Joe Vagana, the veteran New Zealander whose distinguished career came to an abrupt end at the Stobart Stadium.
The game began at a fast and furious pace, with Bradford dominating the early exchanges, and Deacon opened the scoring on four minutes with a penalty after Wigan centre George Carmont had been pulled up for a ball steal.
The visitors also thought they had scored the first try when winger Semi Tadulala palmed Deacon's kick back for Chris Nero to touch down, only for video referee Richard Silverwood to rule a knock-on.
It was a harsh call but Bradford got their reward after 22 minutes when prop forward Andy Lynch, who had a terrific opening quarter, handed off second-rower Harrison Hansen to stroll over for an easy score.
Deacon added the conversion to make it 8-0 but the introduction of Hock helped inject more vigour into the Wigan side and they struck back 10 minutes before half-time when scrum-half Thomas Leuluai stretched out of a three-man tackle to plant the ball on the line.
Pat Richards' conversion cut the Bulls' lead to just two points and that gave Wigan just the encouragement they needed.
Captain Trent Barrett was held up on his back but, after Vagana spilled the ball in front of the posts, their growing pressure paid off just before half-time when Hansen took Leuluai's bullet-like pass to go through a hole in the Bradford defence.
Bradford suffered a body blow when Deacon, who had struggled with a leg injury for much of the first half, failed to re-appear for the second, although Harris was a useful replacement goalkicker and half-back.
The momentum was clearly with Wigan and it was no surprise when they extended their lead with a third try.
The position was set up by a break from the impressive Leuluai, who was put into a gap by Stuart Fielden, and Barrett's kick into space enabled winger Mark Calderwood to touch down with inches to spare.
Richards' third goal made it 18-8 but Bradford's response was impressive and immediate.
Lynch got over the line only for match referee Ashley Klein to call for a forward pass, but there was no denying second-rower Simon Finnigan on 52 minutes when he took Terry Newton's short pass to go in for his side's second try.
Harris added the goal to cut the deficit to just four points but there was no way back for Bradford when loose forward Joel Tomkins took Calderwood's pass to cross for his side's fourth try on 67 minutes.
Hock put the seal on a the comeback when poor defence allowed him on a jinking run to score Wigan's fifth try, with Richards taking his goal tally to five.
The game was held up for five minutes to enable Wigan centre Cameron Phelps to have on-field treatment for a head knock before being carried off on a stretcher.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
Coach Steve McNamara blasted video referee Richard Silverwood's decision to disallow his side an early try as the Bulls' season came to an end with the defeat by Wigan.
The Warriors went through to the semi-finals after overturning an 8-0 deficit with the aid of five tries but McNamara believed the outcome could have been different had centre Chris Nero been awarded a 13th minute score.
Winger Semi Tadulala palmed the ball back following Paul Deacon's kick for Nero to touch down but video official Silverwood ruled a knock-on.
"It was a disgraceful call, as bad as it gets," fumed McNamara. "I thought we had the worst decision of the season last week at Castleford but that was even worse."
"It was clear the ball went back before it bounced forward. How can you get the decision so wrong?."
"We're really disappointed not to progress further in the competition. I'm really proud of my team. They've had a bit of rough justice."
"We've not had much luck all year. The only luck we've had has been bad luck."
The Bulls trailed just 12-8 at half-time but suffered a body blow with the loss of captain and scrum-half Deacon with a knee injury.
Wigan edged ahead thanks to first-half tries from Thomas Leuluai and Harrison Hansen and ran away with the tie in the second half with the aid of touchdowns from Mark Calderwood, Joel Tomkins and Gareth Hock.
"We just knew Bradford were hanging everything on a huge start and they were very vigorous," said Warriors coach Brian Noble.
"It was down to a little bit of patience on our part. We knew we would trouble them if we got some ruck speed."
Both coaches paid tribute to Bradford's veteran prop forward Joe Vagana, who hung up his boots at the end of the game.
Former Bradford boss Noble said: "He's been a sensational athlete and a terrific ambassador for the game of rugby league."
McNamara said: "Joe is a super bloke and it's disappointing for him to finish tonight."