Round 17
Bradford Bulls 20 d. St Helens 18

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Champions beat leaders in Odsal thriller
Sat June 17, 2006
Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

Champions Bradford closed to within six points of St Helens after inflicting a third defeat in five Super League matches on the leaders at Odsal.

Paul Deacon scored a try in each half and kicked four goals for the Bulls to give new coach Steve McNamara the biggest win since he took over from Brian Noble.

After narrowly losing at home to Hull eight days ago, Saints raced into an early 6-0 lead inside the opening five minutes when Ade Gardner scored.

The winger celebrated his call-up to the Great Britain squad by crossing in the corner for his 14th try of the campaign.

However, that early effort was a rare plus point for the visitors as they poor discipline cost them dear.

A procession of needless penalties allowed Bradford to hit back through Deacon, who had seen an earlier effort ruled out for obstruction.

This time the referee gave the scrum-half the benefit of the doubt as he accepted what looked to be a forward pass from Terry Newton to dive over from close range.

He stepped up to convert his own try and put Bradford ahead for the first time with a penalty, although the lead did not last for long.

Despite being on the backfoot for much of the opening quarter of the match, Saints showed their class on a rare attack when Paul Wellens finished off Sean Long's burst down the middle.

Lee Gilmour's score soon after put St Helens in total control and they could have gone even further in front had the former Bradford man not let the ball slip from his grasp just metres from the line.

That missed chance proved costly when Bradford kept themselves alive late on in the half thanks to a try from Lesley Vainikolo.

Deacon's conversion meant it was just a six point gap at the interval and gave the hosts hope that they could beat Saints at the third time of asking this season.

There was just one try in the second half, with Deacon getting the vital score when he teamed up with Newton for the second time on the night.

His successful conversion levelled the scores and he went on to be the hero for the home crowd when his penalty put the Bulls two points in front.

Saints tried their best to find a way through in the final minutes, but this time there was to be no sensational ending as they were shut out to see their lead at the top cut down to just two points.

Report source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

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