Cardiff was the place to be. Even before Robbie Paul had thrown a dummy or Joe Vagana had made a giant tackle, fans of both Bradford and Leeds were united in praise for the Welsh capital.

And, unlike the problematic rival football fans who have descended upon the city in the past, supporters from both teams were also united in the pubs, and on the streets outside the pubs.

The camaraderie remained even after Bradford had clung on for a two-point victory as revelry without a hint of menace, malice or violence was the order of the day.

"If only football fans could be like this," said a police officer, patrolling outside the City Arms pub, which is less than a stone's throw from the magnificent Millennium Stadium.

Not that anyone was throwing stones, just trading banter as Cardiff revelled in the Yorkshire invasion.

"What a great city," said Phil Turner, down from Thackley for two nights.

"I hope they play it here next year, I think this beats Edinburgh and London."

Phil's enthusiasm for Cardiff, shared by pal Tim Dalby, was expressed on Friday night and had doubled by the time they returned to the same venue just hours after Jimmy Lowes had lifted the trophy on Saturday.

"Well worth the journey," said Phil, who had forked out £50 for his seats high up in the stands of the city centre stadium.

"It's been a good crack. Fantastic game, really fantastic game. The stadium was awesome and we got what we wanted. It's a long way to come but it has been worth it."

Bradford and Leeds became ghost towns as the 480-mile round trip to the principality was completed by more than 40,000 fanatical league fans.

And, having gone all this way, they were determined to make the most of their adventures.

There was the musically gifted Captain Hornblower entertaining on the streets around the stadium, a whole brigade of Dad's Army, flamingos, the Village People, a few Elvises, the odd nun and even a man dressed as a sheep.

Pleasingly, there were fans from a whole host of clubs mixing freely: Keighley Cougars, Doncaster Dragons, London Broncos and even St Helens fans joined the fun.

But the happiest were those from Bradford, all too often disappointed in finals, delighted that Challenge Cup appearance number 13 didn't prove unlucky.

And they were everywhere. Bulls and Bradford Northern shirts, "I love Robbie Paul" T-shirts, faces painted with the red, amber and black of the club and even a man in a Gareth Gates mask.

The relief that victory was secured was tangible and summed up nicely by Bulls coach driver Stephen Lootes.

"It is a long way back to Bradford if you lose," he said. "We deserved our luck out there. It was our turn."

Manchester prepare, the Bulls fans are already planning their October trip to the Super League Grand Final and are expecting as much as fun as they had in Wales.