There must be many a well-chewed fingernail in Bradford today following the high tension of the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final on Saturday afternoon. All credit must go to both teams for providing 80 minutes of exciting rugby packed with energy, commitment and skill.

However, very special credit must of course go to the Bradford Bulls for battling their way back into the lead after trailing the Rhinos early on and managing to stay there despite repeated challenges. They did a superb job on both their own and Bradford's behalf.

Once again the Bulls have put this city on the map for very positive reasons. They are a superb antidote to the negative perception of the place which continues in some parts of the wider world despite growing evidence to the contrary, and to the pessimism which continues to afflict a proportion of the local population who find it hard to overcome the natural scepticism for which Bradfordians are notorious.

There could have been few people anywhere on Saturday afternoon who did not equate the name of Bradford with excellent sportsmanship, courage and success. Even the most dour of citizens must surely have allowed themselves a grin of glee and a modest cheer when that final hooter blew.

While the players, and coach Brian Noble, fully deserve every pat on the back that comes their way, the fans too can congratulate themselves on combining tremendous enthusiasm with decorum. They went to Wales as ambassadors and ambassadresses of their city and they did us proud.