Source: www.leagueunlimited.com

English Super League champions Bradford Bulls have taken out the 2006 World club Challenge following a comprehensive 30-10 victory over National Rugby League premiers Wests Tigers in Huddersfield.

It is the third WCC victory for the Bulls who had previously won the annual clash in 2002 and 2004.

With front rower Stuart Fielden leading the way, the Bulls dominated a lacklustre Wests Tigers outfit throughout the match, the home side continually getting over the advantage line and hammering their opponents in defence.

Rugby League journeyman Marcus Bai opened the scoring after seven minutes to give the Bulls a 4-nil lead. Wests Tigers struck back in the 14th minute through Daniel Fitzhenry to make it 4-all, but that would be as close as the visitors would get to heading the scoreboard. Fielden got the first of his two tries in the 25th minute to make it 10-4 in favour of Bradford. A penalty goal from captain Iestyn Harris saw the Bulls go further and at half time it was 12-4.

The Bulls came out firing in the second half and again dominated field position, Bradford hooker Ian Henderson taking full advantage of the tiring Wests Tigers defence. After being held up just minutes earlier, Fielden raced through to score in the 52nd minute to make it 18-4 in favour of the Bulls.

10 minutes later, Papua New Guinea international Stanley Gene crashed through to put the match beyond doubt. Not to be outdone, fellow PNG countryman Marcus Bai got his second try in the 72nd minute to give the Bulls a commanding 30-4 lead.

With four minutes remaining, Wests Tigers managed a consolation try through Brett Hodgson, the fullback running onto a kick from Scott Prince.

Although lacking in match practice, Wests Tigers were well outclassed by a more committed Bradford Bulls outfit now looking to defend their ESL crown. Wests Tigers however, still have work to do and, upon their return to Australia and the upcoming NRL trials, are no doubt looking forward to regaining their form of 2005.

- www.leagueunlimited.com

Details:
BRADFORD BULLS 30
Tries: Fielden 2, Bai 2, Gene
Goals: I Harris 5/6
defeated
WESTS TIGERS 10
Tries: Fitzhenry, Hodgson
Goals: Hodgson 1/2

Fri 3 Feb 2006. Kickoff: 8:00pm (GMT)
Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield
Referee: Steve Ganson
Half time: Bulls 12-4

By The Clock:
7 min: TRY - Bulls.
Marcus Bai on debut for the Bulls scores in the right corner thanks to an overlap. Follows repeat sets.
Conversion from Iestyn Harris unsuccessful.
Bulls 4-0

14 min: TRY - Tigers.
Daniel Fitzhenry scores out wide after slipping under a high tackle from close range.
Conversion from Brett Hodgson unsuccessful.
4-all

19 min: NO TRY - Bulls denied.
Bradford's Shontayne Hape ruled to have knocked on over the line in a decision that went to the video ref with Wests Tigers' Jamaal Lolesi appearing to have knocked the ball out. A close call for Wests.

25 min: TRY - Bulls.
Stuart Fielden crashes over running from 12m out and beating four would-be defenders.
Conversion Iestyn Harris from almost in front is OK.
Bulls 10-4

38 min: PENALTY GOAL - Bulls.
Iestyn Harris converts. Follows penalty for offside/marker not square.
Bulls 12-4

HALF TIME: Bulls 12-4
Bradford controlling much of the ruck play with yards neing made up the middle, hooker Ian Henderson and prop Stuart Fielden taking full advantage. The Bulls enjoying a greater share of possession and have had more opportunities.
Wests Tigers still in it but were looking tired in defence, particularly towards the end of the first half. Wests Tigers are being beaten up the middle so they have some work to do.

48 min: HELD UP - Bulls.
Fielden is held up over the line after running onto a pass from Harrison at dummy half. Bulls looking dangerous early on after Hape makes a break down the left flank, follows some classy offloads closer to the ruck.

52 min: TRY - Bulls.
Fielden not denied this time as he combines again with Harrison. The Wests Tigers defence opens up and Fielden crosses next to the uprights. Follows handling error fom Tigers who are struggling against the Bulls' solid defence.
Conversion Iestyn Harris from in front is OK.
Bulls 18-4

62 min: TRY - Bulls.
Stanley Gene crashes over 10m in from touch after throwing the dummy. Bulls hammering the Tigers with an 80m gain in the last set.
Conversion from Iestyn Harris is spot on.
Bulls 24-4

72 min: TRY - Bulls.
Marcus Bai scores out wide, getting it down before taking out the corner flag.
Conversion from Iestyn Harris is a ripper.
Bulls 30-4

76 min: TRY - Tigers.
Brett Hodgson scores a consolation try for the visitors. Follows a kick on the last tackle.
Hodgson converts his own try.
Bulls 30-10

FULL TIME: The Bradford Bulls have defeated Wests Tigers 30-10 in the 2006 World Club Challenge.


LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the match:
3 - S Fielden (Bulls)
2 - I Harrison (Bulls)
1 - S Gene (Bulls)

Stuart Fielden was awesome. Must be the best forward in the world at the moment(stands back and waits for arguments). And how did Brett Hodgson stop him scoring a third try? Best one on one tackle I've seen for a long time.

Did you guys get the match down there?. Wests were too small to contain Bradford's big pack.

I watched the game and loved every minute of it... so much so I watched it another two times at work :D

BTW: I've been wrapping Stu for god knows how long and let me just say how proud I am to have him at the Falcons!

I think that idiot commentator calling him the 'best player in the world' was hilarious. I rate Fielden as easily the finest forward in the game, but best player? I'm sure Lockyer and Johns spat out their wheat-bix.

Stevo does get carried away. Best Forward, yes.

Very Very Very disappointed in the tigers, just get the feeling that the aussies are just here to pass the time with the world club challenge, my feeling is as a spectacle it should be scrapped, am i right in saying that the last australian team to show an interest was when the roosters beat st. helens, the only other team to show interest was when the storm won at the reebok stadium, and when st. helens won an epic against the mighty broncos in 2001.
Aussie nrl teams are better than this, and their teams always seem to carry injuries when the poms are at full strength, same with the doggies last year.
Is it just me?

All us poms know that stevo is tosser that talks out of his A** 99% of the time, give me Ray Warren anyday.
Stevo's knowledge of the game is extremely limited, all you brits that watch super league will know what im talkin about, anyone disagree, im willing to argue that point with anybody.........