The Bulls dream is still alive

The Bulls' heroic players left the Odsal pitch on Saturday night to the sounds of "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now".

It wasn't played especially to wind up beaten Warrington, as Starship's classic 80s hit gets some regular air time at the Grattan Stadium.

But you sensed there couldn't have been a more apt selection following another stunning effort from the champions, who just refuse to give up their crown.

Although they were favourites to win this play-off eliminator, the Bulls battled through massive adversity to pull off another win and leave people believing maybe nothing is gonna stop them after all.

Favourites St Helens are already in the Grand Final and Bradford must now win at Hull on Friday night to join them, but with their form improving each week, and confidence sky high, the Bulls know they are a match for anyone.

Brilliantly led again by scrum half Paul Deacon, Steve McNamara's side showed tremendous grit and resolve, as well as flair and skill, to overcome some testing times during a thrilling 80 minutes at Odsal.

Deacon's opening kick-off sailed straight out to signal the warning signs and then Player of the Year, prop Andy Lynch, suffered a broken ankle in his first drive.

That saw the Bulls without their inspirational forward for almost the entire match, effectively leaving McNamara a man down on the bench on a night when energy levels would be pushed to their limits during a punishing encounter.

But they ignored those early setbacks to race into an 18-0 lead following some splendid football, only to squander that advantage, twice falling behind in the second half after an equally brilliant fightback from the visitors.

Inspired by Lee Briers, Warrington led 22-20 and then 24-22 on the hour mark but, again, Bradford showed their champion class to respond, Deacon getting the game-breaking try and Lesley Vainikolo and Mick Withers - with his hat-trick - adding gloss at the death.

"I won't see 40!" smiled McNamara, catching his breath after the titanic struggle.

"When you see the kick-off go straight out and then your front-rower break his ankle in the first two minutes, you think Jesus.'.

"But the response was fantastic and we played some fantastic rugby league.

"We were down to a 17-year-old and two 19- year-olds on the bench but it's testament to the young kids how well they performed, and testament to the experienced players as well.

"We knew at stages of this game that Warrington would really put us under the cosh. It doesn't happen often now that a side dominates for a full 80 minutes.

"When you are on top you have to capitalise and put points on the board. We did that and it's probably got us home at the end."

The Bulls did finish off their chances better and had the likes of Chris McKenna and Lesley Vainikolo to thank for a series of try-saving tackles at the other end.

They opened the scoring after three minutes, with Lynch only just stretchered off the field.

Experienced prop Joe Vagana set them in motion with a barrelling surge down the middle and Iestyn Harris caused more problems to take his side deep into Wolves territory, where Terry Newton darted out of dummy half, finding Deacon on a great angle on the last tackle.

The scrum half managed to get a pass out to Brett Ferres as he was tackled, and his team-mate did likewise.

Shontayne Hape was on hand, and although the Warrington defence converged on him, he had Withers, as ever, on his shoulder.

The Aussie full-back - playing his last Bradford game at Odsal before joining Wigan - was in again when he latched on to a fine hit-and-spin from Brad Meyers close to the visitors' line, and when Deacon backed up Karl Pryce's classy break, the champions were in dreamland. Deacon improved all three scores, the first taking him past 2,000 career points, and with Newton ripping Warrington up around the ruck, they seemed destined to cruise into the semi-final.

But just as Deacon proved to the watching Brian Noble that maybe he shouldn't have been handed a Tri-Nations snub, Warrington skipper Briers stepped up his game to remind the Great Britain boss what he could do.

First the stand-off dived between two tacklers to sneak over the Bulls line and then a typical crossfield kick laid on a try for winger Henry Fa'afili.

His second conversion attempt hit a post but he nearly darted over again soon after, shaping to kick before speeding off, only for the excellent McKenna to wrap the Welsh-man up inches short.

When former Bull Rob Parker was penalised for interfering with Vainikolo seconds before the hooter, Deacon booted the goal to give his side some breathing space at 20-10.

However, the visitors started the second half confidently and when the Bulls gave a sloppy penalty away for not standing square, Wolves pounced.

Former Bradford man Stuart Reardon did the damage, stepping inside three tacklers before the ball was shipped quickly through three pairs of hands for another old Bulls face, Toa Kohe-Love, to finish off.

The visitors struck again in the next set, this time from deep as Chris Bridge set Kohe- Love on his way, Bradford-raised Richie Barnett sped down the touchline and Mike Wainwright linked for Reardon to cross.

Briers' conversion put Warrington in front for the first time, and then Michael Sullivan raced clear once more as the tiring Bulls struggled to keep their shape.

However, youngster Sam Burgess ended that move with a big tackle that led to Paul Rauhihi coughing up the ball and handing the hosts some much-needed possession.

With Meyers, McKenna and Ferres all working overtime and 17-year-old prop Burgess belying his age once more in the middle of a brutal battle, Bradford refused to buckle further.

Ian Henderson's fresh legs saw him zip away down the middle and when the supporting Hape had the ball ripped clear by Briers, referee Richard Silverwood awarded a penalty, Deacon drawing them level.

Henderson exchanged some punches with Ben Westwood as tempers frayed at a scrum and he was caught offside soon after to allow Briers an easy equaliser.

Parker broke down the right off another Briers pass but Hape hunted him down and then Bradford struck the decisive blow.

Hape was instrumental in getting them close and as the ball was moved right to Deacon, the scrum half stepped inside the heavy-legged Paul Wood and again past full back Reardon to accelerate over.

The jubilant No 7 booted the ball high up into the air as the celebrations began and then booted the conversion.

Warrington kept coming and Deacon had to pull off a fine ankle tap on Martin Gleeson to stop the Great Britain star escaping.

But when Briers pushed again to try and rescue the game, Rauhihi couldn't accept his pass and Vainikolo picked up the loose ball to thunder 90 metres down the touchline.

Withers completed his hat-trick in the final seconds, getting on the end of Newton's kick, although the video replays showed he never actually grounded the ball.

It mattered little. The job was already done and now Bradford are just 80 minutes away from Old Trafford.