Bradford Bulls v Wigan Warriors Tetley's Super League VII Round 15 Saturday 21st June 2003 Kick Off 6:05pm at Odsal Stadium

Match Report by Rebecca Smith

Andy Farrell scored his 100th career try for Wigan in this stunning victory over Bradford at Odsal - their first win at Bradford for three years. The win sees Stuart Raper's ever improving side move up to third in Super League and condemned the Bull's to their second successive home defeat for the first time in five years. And it was sweet revenge for the challenge cup semi-final and early season league defeats at the hands of the big Bradford side. Andy Farrell and Adrian Lam were the chief architects of this impressive Wigan victory and were rewarded for their enterprising attacking. As well as scoring his 100th try captain Farrell racked up eight goals, the first a penalty after just three minutes top open the scoring. The first try followed shortly after and it was the first try for recent signing Nick Graham. He touched down after Lesley Vainikolo failed to make safe a Shaun Briscoe kick on from an Adrian Lam chip. Wigan stretched the lead to 14-0 with Farrell’s milestone try. Adrian Lam secured good position with a 40-20 kick and Terry Newton sent the captain through the Bulls defence. Farrell converted and Lam took the first of his three drop goals before Danny Sculthopre’s sin-binning gave the Bull’s a lifeline. And Robbie Paul quickly took advantage. He dived over from a Paul Deacon pass, albeit after a deflection from Lam. Deacon converted, but the Warriors restored their advantage when Farrell grubbered through and the ball bounced up off a Bulls defender for Danny Tickle to touch down. Farrell added that conversion and a penalty before half-time, and along with Adrian Lam’s second drop-goal the Warriors took a 26-4 lead into the interval. A sharper and more clinical Bull’s outfit emerged from the changing rooms and within three minutes of the restart Paul Deacon scored and converted to narrow the gap. Then Joe Vagana’s short range try cut the lead to 10 points, Farrell having taken another penalty for a high tackle on Lam by Lowes. Farrell’s fourth successful penalty gave Wigan a break from intense Bull’s pressure that saw Robbie Paul go inches short before Daniel Gartner scored to set up a tense finish. Deacon's conversion brought the score to 28-22, but a third Lam drop goal gave Wigan breathing space. The Warriors held out and a second try of the night for Nick Graham in the final minute sealed a famous victory. Stuart Raper was impressed by his team’s performance. He said: "It was a very workmanlike display and I've got to give big raps to all the forwards." "It is a satisfying win. To beat Bradford after seven games is good, and part of our building process in the last two months." Bulls coach Brian Noble said: "We didn't handle the first half very well and in some respects gave ourselves too much of a hill to climb".

Team Sheets

Bulls Warriors No. Player Pos No. Player 1 Robbie Paul Full Back 22 Shaun Briscoe 2 Tevita Viakona Wing 5 Brian Carney 20 Scott Naylor Centre 15 Sean O'Loughlin 4 Shontayne Hape Centre 18 Martin Aspinwall 5 Lesley Vianikolo Wing 14 David Hodgson 3 Leon Pryce Stand Off 28 Nick Graham 7 Paul Deacon Scrum Half 7 Adrian Lam 8 Joe Vagana Prop 10 Craig Smith 9 James Lowes Hooker 9 Terry Newton 11 Daniel Gartner Prop 8 Terry O'Connor 14 Lee Gilmour 2nd Row 11 Mick Cassidy 12 Jamie Peacock 2nd Row 23 Gareth Hock 13 Mike Forshaw L.Forward 13 Andy Farrell 15 Karl Pratt Sub 12 Danny Tickle 18 Lee Radford Sub 16 Danny Sculthorpe 27 Rob Parker Sub 20 Luke Robinson 30 Richard Moore Sub 25 Kevin Brown

Score Sheet

Bradford Bulls 22-35 Wigan Warriors Tries: Robbie Paul (27) Paul Deacon (43) Joe Vagana (51) Daniel Gartner (69) Tries: Nick Graham 2 (6, 79) Andy Farrell (11) Danny Tickle (32) Goals: Paul Deacon 3 Goals: Andy Farrell 8 Drop Goals: Adrian Lam 3 (21, 39, 71)

Bad Boys

Wigan:

Danny Sculthorpe - Professional Foul (26th Minute)

Match Info

Half Time: 6-24 Wigan Match Attendance: 15,732 Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington) Cherry and White Star Man: Adrian Lam

Alternative Match Reports

Bulls lose and panic hits the terraces - Bradford Rlfans.com Wigan stun Bradford - BBC Online Fortress Odsal breached by mighty Warriors - Sky Sports Farrell scores 100th try as Bulls lose again - Press Association Warriors triumph at Odsal - superleague.co.uk Farrell reaches ton to inspire Wigan - The Independent Wigan tyros savage Bulls - The Sunday Times Farrell landmark the spur - Sunday Telegraph

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