Archive
Sat, 19 October 2002
Badford Bulls 18
St Helens 19
Bradford Bulls: Michael Withers, Tevita Vaikona, Scott Naylor, Brandon Costin, Lesley Vainikolo, Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon, Joe Vagana, James Lowes, Stuart Fielden, Jamie Peacock, Daniel Gartner, Mike Forshaw
Subs: Leon Pryce, Lee Gilmour, Paul Anderson, Brian McDermott
Tries: Michael Withers, Scott Naylor, Robbie Paul
Goals: Paul Deacon (3)
St Helens: Paul Wellens, Anthony Stewart, Martin Gleeson, Paul Newlove, Darren Albert, Paul Sculthorpe, Sean Long, Darren Britt, Keiron Cunningham, Barry Ward, Tim Jonkers, Mike Bennett, Chris Joynt
Subs: John Stankevitch, Michael Higham, Peter Shiels, Sean Hoppe
Tries: Bennett, Long, Gleeson
Goals: Long (3) Drop Goal: Long
The Bulls had mounted a brave defence of their title, leading 8-0 early in the first half and 18-12 after 47 minutes.
However, Martin Gleeson's try and Long's penalty levelled matters before - after two drop goal misses from each side - the scrum half slotted over the winning points with only 49 seconds remaining.
The Bulls began the game powerfully, and a repeat possession after Brandon Costin's challenge on Paul Wellens forced a bouncing ball free, saw the reigning champions grab the first try.
Bradford moved the ball right, and Michael Withers' pass allowed Scott Naylor to cut inside and dive over for the first try.
Paul Deacon converted, and Saints' misery was compounded as Wellens was helped from the field, Darren Albert moving to full back and Sean Hoppe coming onto the wing.
Bradford continued to keep Saints inside their own territory, and missed with a 40-metre penalty shot on nine minutes and saw Deacon have a try ruled out two minutes later following an earlier Jamie Peacock knock-on.
Deacon's direct running almost saw him burst through on 20 minutes, but interference allowed him to post two more points from long range to make the score 8-0.
But Saints cut the lead to two points from their next possession, when Sean Long's kick was allowed to bounce, Martin Gleeson kept it alive and Sean Hoppe, when appearing to be tackled, saw it come free again, for Mike Bennett to collect and touch down.
Sean Long converted, and as Bradford looked to respond, both of their wingers, Lesley Vainikolo and Tevita Vaikona, saw inside balls go to Saints hands as they approached the touchline at the other end.
Saints then swept into the lead, with Keiron Cunningham capitalising on Costin's spill inside his own quarter and Long supporting him to score at the corner, the scrum half then adding the touchline goalhimself.
If the Bulls went into half time wondering how they were behind after dominating the first half territory, they certainly came out in clinical fashion, with two tries inside seven minutes swinging the game back in their favour.
On 44 minutes, Paul Anderson and Brian McDermott kept the ball alive in the middle and Robbie Paul supported to race 25 yards to the posts, Deacon's goal putting them 14-12 up.
Two minutes later, Michael Withers - the hat-trick hero last season - defied Albert's last-ditch tackle to score in the left corner as the Bulls charged forward, although Deacon could not add the extras.
Gleeson was halted by Vainikolo after breaking through, and a James Lowes spill on the 30 yard mark proved crucial.
Albert, Peter Shiels and Paul Sculthorpe were stopped short, but Cunningham spread the ball to the right and Long sent Gleeson in at the corner to cut the gap to 18-16.
Long was able to level matters on 65 minutes with a penalty from in front after the Bulls were caught accidentally offside when a Saints kick ricocheted at James Lowes.
Leon Pryce had replaced Vainikolo on the left wing, and it took a fine tackle from Bennett to stop him after he broke clear returning a kick, while the Bulls spilled the ball on the blind on the last tackle when Deacon was looking for the drop goal.
Long, sensing the clock ticking down, missed with an attempted one-pointer with ten minutes remaining, and Deacon had a pot shot which also went wide.
The tension among the 61,138 inside the Theatre of Dreams rose with every tackle as the prospect of extra time for the first time in a Grand Final grew nearer.
Sculthorpe sliced an attempted one-pointer wide from 40 metres in the 78th minute and Deacon then tried his luck on the half way line from the ensuing possession.
But Saints managed to move swiftly through good work from Albert and Anthony Stewart, and Long was able to kick the winning goal with only 49 seconds left on the clock.
It sparked great celebrations on the Saints side as they repeated their 1999 and 2000 successes on the ground.