Round 26
Wigan Warriors 38 d. Bradford Bulls 16

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

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

Wigan batter the Bulls
Sat September 2, 2006
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan recorded a sensational win against the Bradford Bulls at the JJB Stadium on Friday night with a superb seven-try display.

Brian Noble's side simply blew his former chargers aside with a first half, which couldn't have been bettered. Wigan led 22-0 at half time in a forty minutes as good as you would see from any team. Bradford couldn't handle what Wigan had to offer, it was simply awesome. The Bulls did rally after the interval but by then the game was won.

As expected it was a rough, tough start in the opening exchanges. Stuart Fielden received the ball from the kick off and was met three Bulls defenders head on to show his intentions against his former side.

On 5 minutes the first real break, a Mickey Higham dummy and he was away down the middle, he had Bryan Fletcher in support. His pass found Michael Dobson who was held just short. A great move which split open the Bradford defence.

The deadlock broken on 9 minutes and what a try, Paleaaesina's power in midfield and some great handling from Higham, O'Loughlin, Calderwood, Orr and then Chris Ashton who was able to dive over for the four points under the posts. Michael Dobson hit the extras to make it 6-0.

On 16 minutes Wigan were in again, another fantastic break by Higham from dummy half. Ashton with the pace down the left as the Volcano Lesley Vainikolo homed in; he passed the ball to Pat Richards who crossed for the home side's second try. This time the conversion was missed, 10-0.

At this stage, the Warriors were running red hot and straight after it was try number three. Danny Orr breaking clear from a Fletcher pass and this time it was Michael Dobson in support for his first try for the club. He added the conversion, 16-0.

On 37 minutes, Pat Richards intercepted a Deacon pass from close to his own line and raced almost the full length for try number four and his second of the night, his 12th in Super League. Dobson hit the goal 22-0.

Not surprisingly, Wigan received a standing ovation for what had been a magnificent first forty minutes.

The game was sealed in the opening two minutes after the break as Withers lost the ball close to his own line as Wayne Godwin tackled. Michael Dobson picked up the loose ball for the try, which he converted. Referee Ashley Klein checking this one with the video referee. 28-0 to Wigan.

The Bulls finally got on the scoreboard on 46 minutes through a Michael Withers try, Karl Pryce with the break. Deacon struck the goal 28-6.

Wigan responded on 52 minutes, Wayne Godwin crossing from acting half back for his side's sixth try. Dobson added the conversion 34-6.

In typical Bulls style despite the score the visitors hadn't given up, if playing only for some pride. Andy Lynch with Bradford's second try. This time Paul Deacon's goal hit the woodwork, 34-10. On 65 minutes, Karl Pryce scored another four pointer, which Deacon converted 34-16.

Michael Dobson put the icing on the cake in the dying seconds to complete his hat-trick with a try in the corner to finish the game 38-16. The scrum half this time missed the extras.

Wigan had got the win to make it nine victories from their last ten outings in Super League. This performance was as good if not better than the one at Leeds a few weeks ago, certainly for 50 minutes the Warriors were on fire. Even at the end Wigan had lost none of their enthusiasm managing to dump the Volcano into touch. A wonderul evening for the fans and an 80 minutes Brian Noble and Stuart Fielden would have particularly savoured.A great night for Michael Dobson too with some of his family over from Australia to cheer him on.

Team news

Wigan Warriors: Chris Ashton, Mark Calderwood, Nathan McAvoy, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards, Danny Orr, Michael Dobson, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Mickey Higham, Stuart Fielden, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin. Subs - Scott Logan, Wayne Godwin, Harrison Hansen, Danny Tickle.

Bradford Bulls: Michael Withers, Lesley Vainikolo, Shontayne Hape, Ben Harris, Marcus Bai, Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon, Joe Vagana, Terry Newton, Andy Lynch, Chris McKenna, Brett Ferres, Jamie Langley. Subs- Ian Henderson, Brad Meyers, Sam Burgess, Karl Pryce.

Referee - Ashley Klein
Attendance -15,830

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

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