Rugby League Report
Created | Updated Nov 4, 2005
Hello and a warm welcome to a new season of Rugby League Reports with me, Intern 
If the pace of the first two games is any thing to go by the season will be very close indeed. Wakefield have already shown that they can mix it with the top flight even though they lost to Warrington on Saturday.
Bradford Bulls v Wigan
The Bradford Bulls look to start the season in the very dominant fashion. Lesley Vainikolo looked unstoppable running in 5 trys in one game that included a 90 meter run down the line. Withers was the first to find his way over the line. Wigan had the better start of the game but repeated penalties against the Warriors found their little scrum half, Luke Robinson, sin-binned for 10 minutes. Withers kicked a penalty when Wigan's Carny spilled the ball and, at half time, the score was Bulls 12 Wigan 0.
The Bulls made the game safe in the second half - running in another two trys in four minutes. Bulls could have improved the score but a few of the conversions were a bridge too far for stand in kicker Withers. Wigan did get over the line once with a try from Danny Orr but the story of the night was Vainikolo who equaled Halifax three-quarters record grand final at Old Trafford.
Bulls Go Out
The Powergen Challenge Cup holders Bradford Bulls are out after Saint Helens beat them with real ease at Odsal Stadium on Sunday. The Saints looked the better team from the kick off getting into the faces of the Bulls and doing what other teams can't do and what the Bulls dont like; slowing down the game - sometimes a little too long, to be honest. Most of the time the Saints looked slightly offside but, take nothing away from them, they are the ones to watch in the Cup without a
doubt.
Their first try came just after 10 minutes. Nick Fozzard made good ground from Cunningham and off-loaded to Edmonson who got past the cover to get the try. Their next try came in the 22nd minute after a mistake from Radford was plucked out the air by Long who then ran 50 metres to touch down. Things got a lot worse for the home team who repeatedly had the Saints on the rack only to make an unforced error and let them get out of jail. Radford did make slight amends by going over the Saints line. This was converted by a kick from Paul Decon in his first game back after injury, but the home team was trailing - going in at half time 14-6.
The Bulls did come out and play better in the second half and it looked like they might just pull something from the top drawer to win, but the Saints were not going to be robbed of a place in the next round and got another two tries to take the points total points beyond the Bulls reach. Radford still managed to get a consolation try before the end.
The final score was Bulls - 10 Saints - 30
Wigan Win Scrap at The JJB Stadium
The Wigan team looked like they, too, would be taking an early exit from the competition. After a very slow start by Wigan, Widnes were the first to get a try courtesy of Jules O'Neill. Widnes got another try before half time to make it 12-4 to the visitors.
Wigan came out in the second half ready to play some rugby and just out-classed the visitors. Tries came from Smith with Tickle converting. There was some bad news for the Wigan fans when Carney was taken off with what looked like a broken ankle after been picked up and dropped awkwardly.
Final score: Wigan - 38 Widnes - 12
Other Games
Hull also go through: Leigh 14 Hull 21
and Halifax go out: Limouxin 19 Halifax 18
