Archive
Fri, 17 May 2002
Bradford Bulls 46
Halifax RLFC 22
Bradford Bulls: Michael Withers, Tevita Vaikona, Scott Naylor, Nathan McAvoy, Brandon Costin, Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon, Joe Vagana, James Lowes, Brian McDermott, Jamie Peacock, Daniel Gartner, Mike Forshaw
Subs: Leon Pryce, Paul Anderson, Stuart Fielden, Lee Radford
Tries: Michael Withers (2), Tevita Vaikona, Scott Naylor, Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon (2), Lee Radford
Goals: Paul Deacon (7)
Blue Sox: Flowers, Beckett, Woods, Donlan, Halpenny, Dunemann, Clinch, Hobson, Lawless, Birchall, Tickle, McMenemy, Hammond
Subs: Gannon, Bloem, Goldspink, Thackray
Tries: Halpenny, Flowers, Lawless (2)
Goals: Tickle (3)
Deacon, with two tries and seven goals, was at the heart of the Bulls' eight-try showing, with Michael Withers celebrating his return to form and fitness with a brace.
Scott Naylor, Robbie Paul, Lee Radford and Tevita Vaikona also touched down, with tries from Colum Halpenny and Jason Flowers failing to keep the Blue Sox in touch before a late brace for Johnny Lawless gave the scoreline respectability.
The Bulls were looking to bounce back from their defeat at Leeds Rhinos last Friday, and knew that a defeat would give four other clubs the chance to draw level with them at the top of the table.
But, after Scott Naylor had opened the scoring following good work from Vaikona and Jamie Peacock - celebrating his new contract - and Deacon had extended the advantage to 10-0 after 13 minutes, defeat did not realistically seem a proposition.
Halpenny hit back for Halifax with an 80-metre dash following Gavin Clinch's quick thinking, with Danny Tickle converting.
Withers returned from his groin operation last week, and got his name on the scoresheet on 23 minutes before opposition full back Jason Flowers crossed to make the scoreline 16-10 on the half hour.
Vaikona and Costin had already had tries ruled out for forward passes, but Withers' second, from a Deacon kick on 34 minutes, helped the Bulls into a 22-10 half time lead.
Tries to Paul, following play from Withers and Vaikona, and Deacon, after Leon Pryce's good work, within 16 minutes of the restart effectively killed the game off.
Lee Radford then got his name on the scoresheet with his first touch before Lawless' brace gave life to Halifax's fight, but the gap was never going to be bridged, especially when Jim Gannon was sin-binned, and Vaikona completed the win on 78 minutes, with Deacon adding a seventh conversion.
Bulls coach Brian Noble was full of praise for his side for the way that they bounced back from the defeat at Leeds.
"We played a very physical team and we dominated them," said Noble. "It was a superb win and a big team effort.Our handling was as good as we have shown at any time this season."
Halifax coach Steve Linnane admitted that his side had suffered the backlash from last week's loss.
"Bradford are a quality team and some of their skill was exceptional," said Linnane. "Their strength and power just blew us away in the first half. Our defence worked hard but we just could not get in the game."