Bulls just awesome

They removed King Kong from their shoulders, threw him across the dining room and the living room and out of the French windows!

After all, what pressure were they under? They had lost four of their last five big finals, had therefore earned a reputation of being "chokers", and were playing Wigan, who had won 22 trophies and lost in only three finals in the 1990s.

Oh, and the match was being played in front of a Super League Grand Final record crowd of 60,164, which was also the biggest ever rugby league crowd at Old Trafford, and the match was being shown live not only on Sky, but also in Australia, New Zealand and France.

But the Bulls, as their coach Brian Noble has been quick to point out, have grown together as a team, have matured and, probably even more importantly, were tough.

They arrived early (about 3.20pm for a 6.30pm kick-off), warmed-up early (ten minutes before Wigan came out), took the lead early (Henry Paul kicked a penalty in the second minute) and never looked back.

They gave a tremendous performance, and what a way to make up for all those years of hurt, claiming their first Super League title for four years in a one-sided final.

The heroes for the minor premiers were full back Michael Withers, who scored a 20-minute hat-trick of tries to take his remarkable tally for the season to 32, and Henry Paul, who bowed out of rugby league in the grand manner with his second winners' ring.

Before the game, Wigan Warriors coach Stuart Raper said his side had definitely learnt their lesson following their 24-18 qualifying semi-final defeat at Valley Parade two weekends ago.

But when prop Harvey Howard was penalised for being illegally positioned at a play-the-ball, Henry Paul landing the goal from halfway in his 100th and possibly last appearance for the Bulls in only the 97th second, one began to wonder, and subsequent events only proved that they hadn't.

Hooker James Lowes, who was a huge influence in the Bulls' performance, then smuggled his way over for a typical try from acting half-back and two minutes later Henry Paul's great break set up an excellent position.

Kris Radlinski, working overtime at this stage, and Brian Carney combined to bring him down, but before the Warriors had chance to re-organise full back Michael Withers was left with a relatively easy run-in.

The Warriors' problems were compounded when Irish international Carney hobbled off after catching a stud in making the try-saving tackle on Henry Paul. Carney's right knee was cut to the bone and the damage needed over 20 stitches to repair.

The only times Wigan threatened were from Bradford errors - a Joe Vagana knock on and a Withers offload that went to a Warriors hand - but the Bulls defence, as it has been all season, was up to the task.

And Wigan went further behind in the 23rd minute when referee Stuart Cummings clamped down on interference at the play-the-ball and Paul stepped up land another long-range penalty goal.

Withers then sent the Bulls fans into dreamland by completing a remarkable 20-minute hat-trick that helped to seal the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man-of-the-match.

Bulls centre Scott Naylor had been a real thorn in Wigan's side all the half, and he opened the door for winger Tevita Vaikona to send the supporting full back over for his second score.

And Withers was on hand to claim his third try - his 32nd of the season - in the 31st minute after more bewildering handling from the Paul brothers.

Yes, Henry Paul missed the odd kick, but he could afford to and seemed to have been smiling at the scoreline from about the second minute onwards.

Wigan were facing the prospect of being nilled for the first time in six years of summer rugby.

And while they had skipper Andy Farrell operating at about half-efficiency in trying to run-off a 'dead leg', the Bulls also had to reshuffle in the second half when Leon Pryce twisted an ankle just before half-time.

Graham Mackay was shunted onto the wing for the second half to accommodate athletic substitute Shane Rigon, but it made little difference.

While Wigan struggled for any kind of rhythm, the Bulls attacked with purpose and venom and went close to claiming a fifth try in the 47th minute when second rower Daniel Gartner got over the line, but was held up on his back.

At least Wigan avoided a whitewash when scrum-half Adrian Lam forced his way over in the 63rd minute and, in the rare absence of the replaced Farrell, Dave Furner converted.

But normal service was quickly resumed when substitute Stuart Fielden went over for Bradford's fifth try and, although Paul was once again wide with the conversion, he put over a long-range drop goal to make it 31-6.

And Mackay added the finishing touches to a remarkable display, getting on the end of a slide-rule grubber kick from substitute half-back Paul Deacon, and adding the goal for good measure on what was his last appearance for the Bulls before he rejoined union side Leeds Tykes.