Archive
Sun, 10 March 2002
Bradford Bulls 38
Warrington Wolves 12
Bradford Bulls: Michael Withers, Tevita Vaikona, Brandon Costin, Lee Gilmour, Nathan McAvoy, Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon, Joe Vagana, James Lowes, Brian McDermott, Jamie Peacock, Daniel Gartner, Mike Forshaw
Subs: Paul Sykes, Paul Anderson, Stuart Fielden, Lee Radford
Tries: Michael Withers, Tevita Vaikona, Brandon Costin, Lee Gilmour, Nathan McAvoy, Paul Anderson, Daniel Gartner
Goals: Paul Deacon (5)
Warrington Wolves: Lee Briers, Rob Smyth, Sid Domic, David Kidwell, Dale Cardoza, Paul Noone, Matthew Rodwell, Nick Fozzard, Jon Clarke, Mark Hilton, Paul Marquet, Dean Busby, Kevin Crouthers
Subs: Matt Sturm, Paul Wood, Tom O'Reilly, Mark Gleeson
Tries: Wood, Gleeson
Goals: Briers (2)
Following their win at Wigan last Friday, the Bulls were 26-0 ahead at half time following a dominant opening 40 minutes before a spirited second half display saw the Wolves 'draw' that period 12-12.
Daniel Gartner, Michael Withers, Tevita Vaikona, Brandon Costin and Paul Anderson scored first half tries, Paul Deacon only managing three conversions.
Second half scores for Nathan McAvoy and Lee Gilmour were sandwiched between Wolves tries for Paul Wood and Mark Gleeson as the visitors bounced back.
The Bulls were always in command after going 14-0 up with three tries inside the opening quarter of the game, and went on to add another two before the break to take a big lead into half time.
Daniel Gartner opened the scoring on five minutes after good work around the dummy half area by James Lowes, the Australian second rower brushing off Sid Domic to touch down, Deacon adding the goal.
The second was added on 14 minutes by Michael Withers, who had been a serious doubt for the game after suffering a groin strain at Wigan, the full back powering past two men and full back Lee Briers to touch down.
Briers did save Warrington from going further behind when he halted Tevita Vaikona soon afterwards, the Tongan winger wasting the chance with three men inside him as he dashed down the wing.
However, he redeemed himself with the next try after good passing from Robbie Paul and Brandon Costin, who continued at centre in the absence of Scott Naylor.
The Australian, a winter signing from Huddersfield, then got on the scoresheet himself after good work from James Lowes, who broke through and drew Briers, Deacon's conversion creating a 20-0 advantage.
The Wolves were struggling to test the Bulls line as their new-look side continues to gel, and it was an error inside their own '20, when the ball was coughed up, which enabled Paul Anderson to effectively seal the game at 26-0 when he powered past three to score under the posts on the half hour.
Costin and Withers continued to create havoc in the Wolves defence, but Vaikona - who was named Man of the Match after the Bulls' new SMS poll - was unable to extend that lead further when he knocked on.
The Wolves came back from 16-0 down at home to Halifax last weekend before winning 30-22, and a try to Paul Wood on 43 minutes, following a Lee Briers kick, gave hope of another comeback, Briers adding the conversion.
But McAvoy's 54th minute score, the ball being switched left after Stuart Fielden was held just short, ended those hopes, Deacon kicking the goal.
The Bulls were now camped in the Wolves half but the visitors, to their credit, refused to cave in, with Lee Gilmour's angled run onto Robbie Paul's pass with a quarter of an hour remaining giving them a 38-6 lead.
However, the Wolves had the final say, with substitute hooker Mark Gleeson - who scored a try in their 18-14 over Bradford at Wilderspool last season - dummying his way over from dummy half.
It was little consolation for a Wolves side who continue to develop under Anderson, while the Bulls' start to the season has sent an ominous warning to the rest of Super League.