Bradford Bulls 22, St Helens 50: St Helens cracked fortress Valley Parade in awesome style last night as leaders Bradford Bulls lost their first home Tetley's Super League game in two years.

The last time the Bulls were beaten as hosts in the regular season was at Odsal in July, 2000, when Leeds won a derby thriller 28-26.

However, more tellingly it was the first time Bradford have conceded 50 points at home since before Super League, Saints thrashing them 51-12 on October 16, 1994. And it was their worst home defeat in the Super League since Sheffield Eagles defeated them 38-18 on August 2, 1998.

The world club champions certainly had to accept the tags of also-rans on a balmy (and barmy) evening as Saints underlined their Grand Final intentions with a stunning eight-try blitz that pulled them level at the top.

It was Saints' second win over the Bulls in six weeks, but their first over their main rivals on their own turf since the summer era began seven years ago.

And it slashed Bradford's points difference advantage over their visitors from 106 to just 50. And 50 was the tally they achieved last night, thanks to Paul Sculthorpe's excellent conversion of Darren Albert's second try from the right-hand touchline with two minutes remaining.

The visitors, cheered on by an enthusiastic following, were simply unstoppable as they roared back to their best, with Albert and Keiron Cunningham both crossing twice and Sculthorpe kicking nine goals from ten attempts.

Yet there was no hint of this mayhem when the Bulls, defending a 25-game unbeaten home record in the league, started the brighter, racing out of the blocks to open up an 8-0 lead inside ten minutes.

Twice menacing Paul Deacon kicks caused alarm behind the Saints touchline, but Albert, who fell over an advertising hoarding for his trouble, and Newlove managed to repel the threat.

But the visitors could not hold the champions for long, eight points coming in quick succession after Bradford were awarded a penalty for Newlove's clumsiness in running into Tevita Vaikona and conceding a penalty for obstruction.

Deacon knocked over the two points with little trouble and a try followed within moments as Vaikona broke from the kick-off.

The Tongan winger ran the ball all the way back up to halfway before brilliantly off-loading for full back Michael Withers to send Scott Naylor racing under the posts. Deacon converted to underline the Bulls' early superiority.

However, Saints roared back in typical style as they showed all the champion qualities of their own.

By the 17th minute the visitors had the lead as first Gleeson went over and Newlove followed on his side's next attack.

Sean Long created the first as he caught Bradford napping with a brilliant kick to the corner which was well taken by Albert and instantly fed to Gleeson.

Cunningham started the move that led to the second with a characteristically barnstorming run from inside his own half.

Twice the move looked like floundering, but Sonny Nickle picked up the charge and, despite a Peter Shiels pass going to ground, Newlove had enough time to gather and stride over.

Sculthorpe added both conversions before Deacon cut the lead back to 12-10 with another penalty.

It provided little respite as the Bulls were slow to effectively deal with a John Stankevitch burst in the 29th minute, and Cunningham crashed over for another four points from dummy half.

Things got immeasurably worse for Brian Noble's side as Saints then took an iron grip on the game with two killer breaks either side of half-time.

Long sparked the first with with a smart interception from a Deacon pass inside his own 20, from which he sprinted clear and coolly sent Albert away in a lightning break.

Another came within minutes of the re-start as forward Darren Britt charged forward, shrugged off two would-be tacklers and found Long in acres of space to dash to the line.

Sculthorpe again converted both with ease and was soon in action again as Bradford threatened to wilt under the pressure and Cunningham again went over from acting half.

Saints refused to relent as they moved in for the kill against their by now shell-shocked opponents.

Long and Cunningham both had tries ruled out by the video referee either side of a Stankevitch score as the tide showed no signs of abating.

Stankevitch's touchdown was the seventh of the night, the second rower pouncing on yet more lax defending to power through for another score, easily improved by Sculthorpe.

A rare home attack in the 65th minute managed to bring some relief for the fans as Stuart Fielden used his strength to muscle over for the first of two consolation efforts.

Deacon converted, but it made little impression on the scoreboard, Sculthorpe adding two more penalties, one of them from halfway, moments later.

That allowed Saints to ease off a little and Fielden gathered a Deacon kick to cross again in the 71st minute.

Deacon again goalled, but Albert completed the rout when he burst down the touchline in the final minute and Sculthorpe then added a brilliant conversion.