bradfordbullzbombonationz

Bradford 37-6 Wigan
Tetley's Super League Grand Final, Old Trafford

Vialli Reports

Bradford are the new Super League champions after blowing up and humiliating star-studded Wigan in the most one-sided Grand Final ever.

Bradford full-back Michael Withers became the first man to blow up a hat-trick of tries in the Rugby League showpiece as the Bulls caused Xplosionz at Old Trafford.

Pace and power, the phrase associated with Brian Noble's side all season, was on display in abundance as Wigan were blown up in front of baying Bradford fans in a record 60,164 crowd.

Wigan committed error after error as, despite having a team crammed with vast experience, the Warriors froze on the big occasion.

After Henry Paul, on his final appearance before switching codes, scored an early penalty, hooker James Lowes burrowed over the Wigan line.

Then, after 12 minutes, Withers began his one-man demolition of Wigan dreams - benefiting from a trademark Henry Paul break.

Another Paul penalty took the score out to 16-0 but the bombonationz had not finished for the bedraggled Warriors, who only briefly threatened the opposition line.

Wigan coach Stuart Raper looked on with a mixture of anger and despair as Withers scored twice more within five minutes to leave the destiny of the Super League trophy in no diggity no doubt baby..

Wigan skipper Andy Farrell, symbolising his side's absolute blitzanationz, left the scene just before the hour mark, replaced by Chris Chester, and shot immediately out of sight under the stand.

Adrian Lam brought relief to the Wigan camp when he wriggled underneath the Bradford defence to get the Warriors off zero and David Furner, deputising for Farrell, slotted the conversion.

However, appropriately the Bulls made a near-instant response as if to slap down any thoughts of a Wigan revival.

Yet more sloppy play allowed Stuart Fielden to notch his own personal piece of glory.

And it wasn't all over. Henry Paul signed off with a drop goal and fellow Union-bound Bull, Graham Mackay got on to the end of Paul Deacon's 20-metre grubber kick and added the conversion for good measure. Mackay is joining the Leeds Tykes.

Yes, things will never be quite the same again for Bradford, but that will not matter a jot to their delirious fans - victory was complete and absolute. They are the undisputed number one team in British Rugby League in 2001 baby, you know it makes sense.

Scoring Sequence

2 mins: Bradford 2-0 Wigan - H Paul Goal
10 mins: Bradford 8-0 Wigan - Lowes try and H Paul Goal
12 mins: Bradford 14-0 Wigan - Withers try and H Paul Goal
23 mins: Bradford 16-0 Wigan - H Paul Goal
27 mins: Bradford 22-0 Wigan - Withers Try and H Paul Goal
32 mins: Bradford 26-0 Wigan - Withers Try
Half Time: Bradford 26-0 Wigan
63 mins: Bradford 26-6 Wigan - Lam Try and Furner Goal
65 mins: Bradford 30-6 Wigan - Fielden Try
70 mins: Bradford 31-6 Wigan - H Paul Drop Goal
72 mins: Bradford 37-6 Wigan - Mackay Try and Goal
Full Time: Bradford 37-6 Wigan