Sun 20 June 2004
Bradford Bulls 40
Huddersfield Giants 12
Bradford Bulls: Michael Withers, Stuart Reardon, Paul Johnson, Shontayne Hape, Andy Smith, Leon Pryce, Paul Deacon, Joe Vagana, Robbie Paul, Stuart Fielden, Jamie Peacock, Logan Swann
Subs:
Tries: Stuart Reardon, Shontayne Hape (2), Stuart Fielden, Logan Swann
Goals: Paul Deacon (10)
Huddersfield Giants: Donlan, O'Hare, St Hilaire, Evans, White, Gene, Penkiwicz, Fleary, Joseph, Gannon, Jones, Roarty, Nero
Subs: Fagbourun, Crabree, Southwell, Reilly
Tries: Evans, White
Goals: White 2
Huddersfield have not won at Odsal since 1969 and with several first-choice players missing they were always set for a hard time against the champions.
The sides exchanged penalties in a scrappy opening 10 minutes with Paul White replying to Deacon's opener but Deacon soon added a second and from then on it was virtually one-way traffic.
Centre Shontayne Hape scored the Bulls' first try, touching down a kick to the line from prop Stuart Fielden and then second rower Logan Swann crossed from 20 metres after a sweet move opened the Giants defence.
Deacon converted both tries and then added another penalty to set up an 18-2 advantage and Bradford should really have extended their lead by half-time but let themselves down with some handling errors and by conceding a couple of penalties for dissent.
Forwards Ben Roarty and Chris Nero worked hard in defence for the Giants but despite the occasional sparkling touch from Stanley Gene at half-back there was little threat from the visitors on attack.
Full-back Michael Withers had to retire soon after the restart, being injured while making a try-saving tackle on big Huddersfield forward Eorl Crabtree but the Bulls gradually moved further ahead.
Great Britain prop Fielden, struggling for form recently, looked back to his best as he charged over in rousing style for his first try of the season and two more Deacon goals made it 26-2 after 50 minutes.
The Giants however refused to yield completely and responded with a try by Australian centre James Evans before the game erupted in the 58th minute with several players involved in a brawl which resulted in Fielden and Huddersfield prop Gannon being sin-binned and the incident being put on report by referee Karl Kirkpatrick.
The clash seemed to give the Giants new impetus and they cut the deficit again with winger White rounding off good passing to score and converting his own try.
The Giants continued to battle bravely but were in further trouble in the closing stages when full-back Stuart Donlan was sin-binned for a professional foul.
Bradford grabbed their chance to finish with a late flourish. Winger Stuart Reardon raced in from half way and Hape grabbed his second try, enabling Deacon to complete his impressive goal kicking stint with a late penalty.