By Chris Lord
May 22 2005

Warrington Wolves complete a double over Bradford by winning at Odsal for the first time since 1993.

Engage Super League Rd 14

Odsal Stadium, Bradford

Sunday 22 May 2005

Bradford Bulls 24-44 Warrington Wolves

Chris Bridge returned to haunt his former club Bradford with a 24-point personal haul as Warrington registered their first win at Odsal since 1993 and their first league double against Bradford in 25 years by 44 points to 24.

Bridge, a £24,000 close-season signing from the Bulls, was the star as Warrington recovered from a 24-8 deficit by running in 36 points without reply in a stunning second-half performance.

Bradford dominated in the early stages and it was no surprise when winger Lesley Vainikolo crashed over for a sixth-minute try.

Paul Deacon, whose probing runs in his new role as hooker caused the Warrington defence more problems, added the goal and as Bradford pressed again winger Karl Pryce was halted inches short.

Warrington gradually began to make an impression and it was Bridge, one of three former Bradford players in the side, who drew them level.

He ran in unopposed from 25 metres to round off an attack launched by Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson and then added the goal.

Bradford stand-off Iestyn Harris, who began his career with Warrington, was working hard to inspire the Bulls and they grabbed the lead again with a fine solo effort by skipper Jamie Peacock who took three defenders over the line with him from close range.

Deacon added the goal but Bridge narrowed their lead right on the interval with a penalty goal. Bradford soon added to their lead after the break with two tries in six minutes.

Stuart Reardon crossed after a final pass from Iestyn Harris and Deacon duly goaled. Harris then side-stepped his way through for a great solo try and Deacon was on target again to open up a 24-8 lead which promised to be decisive.

Warrington however, and particularly Bridge, had other ideas.

Bridge combined with Gleeson to create for loose forward Paul Noone and then Toa Kohe-Love, another former Bradford player, scored in oceans of space and before Bradford had chance to recover substitute forward Paul Wood was over the line and Bridge converted all three tries to put Warrington 26-24 ahead after 57 minutes.

Bradford looked completely shell-shocked and Warrington stretched their advantage after 66 minutes when prop Danny Lima crashed over following a long run by winger Dean Gaskell.

Bradford simply had no answer to Warrington’s enthusiasm and Bridge rounded off his great personal day with a fine solo try and another goal after 73 minutes and in the last minute winger Henry Fa’afili scored after intercepting a pass from Iestyn Harris.

It was a chastening debut for Bradford’s new Australian centre, 21-year-old Ben Harris, who entered the fray just after Warrington had gone ahead and hardly had any chance to make an impression.