2004 Bradford Bulls season

2004 Bradford Bulls season
Super League IX Rank 2nd
Play-off result Runners-up
Challenge Cup 4th Round
2004 record Wins: 22; Draws: 1; Losses: 9
Points scored For: 984; Against: 627
Team information
Chairman Chris Caisley
Head Coach Brian Noble
Captain
Stadium Odsal Stadium
Avg. Attend. 11,459
High. Attend. 23,375 vs. Leeds Rhinos
Top scorers
Tries Lesley Vainikolo – 39
Goals Paul Deacon – 124
Points Paul Deacon – 282
< 2003 List of seasons 2005 >

This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2004 season, the 9th season of the Super League era.

Season review

February 2004

Bradford started the 2004 season off by beating Penrith Panthers 22–4 in the World Club Challenge to become World Champions for the 2nd time. The Bulls start to the regular season rounds couldn't have been better as Lesley Vainikolo set a Super League record with the most amount of tries in a match scoring 5 in Bradford's 34–6 win against Wigan Warriors. The Bulls could not retain their Challenge Cup title as they were knocked out in the 4th Round as St Helens RLFC beat them 30–10.

March 2004

Bradford continued their run of form with a comprehensive 40–6 win against Wakefield Wildcats. The Bulls kept their league winning streak going with a hard fought 20–6 win against Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Giants.

April 2004

The Bulls started April by grinding out a 25–18 win against Salford City Reds. Bradford's first league loss of the season came in Round 5 against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos who came out 26–18 winners. The Bulls picked themselves up after this defeat and hammered St Helens RLFC 54–8 with Shontayne Hape scoring a hat-trick. Bradford lost for the 2nd time this season as Hull FC beat them 26–18 with Shaun Briscoe scoring 4 tries for the Hull side. The Bulls finished the month with a 22–22 draw at Warrington Wolves.

May 2004

Bradford started May with a much needed 24–12 win against London Broncos. The Bulls then beat Castleford Tigers 44–18 with Stuart Reardon scoring 4 tries. Bradford kept their winning run on track with a 30–20 win against Widnes Vikings. The month finished badly for the Bulls as their winning streak was broken in a 35–30 loss to St Helens RLFC.

June 2004

The start of June was a poor one for Bradford as they lost 26–12 to arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos. Bradford soon got back on track as they beat Salford City Reds 35–28 in a hard fought match. The Bulls also posted an impressive 40–12 win against Huddersfield Giants with Paul Deacon kicking them to victory with 10 goals. Bradford finished the month with a 38–30 win against Widnes Vikings.

July 2004

The Bulls started July well as they smashed Castleford Tigers 60–12 with Lesley Vainikolo stealing the spotlight with 4 tries, he then scored another 2 the following week in a 36–26 win against the Wakefield Wildcats. The good start to the month came to an end as the Bulls lost 32–16 to Wigan Warriors. Bradford recovered from this defeat and beat London Broncos 44–16.

August 2004

Bradford's month got off to a bad start as they lost 25–14 to Hull FC keeping the Bulls 5th in the table. The Bulls got their season back on track with a hard fought 36–22 win against Warrington Wolves thanks to a Lesley Vainikolo hat-trick. Bradford backed this win up with an outstanding 38–12 win against Wigan Warriors with Iestyn Harris leading the way with 2 tries and a goal. The Bulls were brought crashing back to earth as league leaders and arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos beat them 40–12, the Bulls were down to 12 men for at least 20 minutes of the match as Leon Pryce received two sin-bins. Bradford finished the month strong as they beat Hull FC 26–12, Lesley Vainikolo scored his 4th hat-trick of the year to help the Bulls get the much needed win.

September 2004

The Bulls continued their charge to 2nd in the league as they beat woeful London Broncos 60–18, Shontayne Hape scored a hat-trick, Logan Swann and Rob Parker also scored 2 tries each to help the Bulls get the win. Bradford continued their winning end to the season with a nail biting 28–27 win against Warrington Wolves where Paul Deacon's two late drop-goals secured the points for the Yorkshire side. The Bulls finished the regular season by thumping St Helens RLFC 64–24, both Stuart Reardon and Lesley Vainikolo grabbed hat-tricks whilst Hape scored 2 tries to help the Bradford team finish the 2004 season 2nd in the league.

October 2004

Bradford qualified for the 2004 Grand Final by defeating arch rivals Leeds Rhinos in the Qualifying Semi-final. The Bulls came out as 26–12 winner thanks to tries from Robbie Paul, Lee Radford, Lesley Vainikolo and a double from Shontayne Hape. However Leeds soon got revenge as they defeated the Bulls 16–8 in the Grand Final.

2004 milestones

Table

    		 Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
    1 Leeds Rhinos 2824221037443+59450
    2 Bradford Bulls 282017918565+35341
    3 Hull 281927843478+36540
    4 Wigan Warriors 281747736558+17838
    5 St. Helens 2817110821662+15935
    6 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2815013788662+12630
    7 Huddersfield Giants 2812016518757−23924
    8 Warrington Wolves 2810117700715−1521
    9 Salford City Reds 288020507828−32116
    10 London Broncos 287121561968−40715
    11 Widnes Vikings 287021466850−38414
    12 Castleford Tigers 286022515924−40912
      Teams qualifying for the Play-offs
      Relegated

    Source: Rugby League Project.
    Classification: 1st on competition points; 2nd on match points difference.
    Competition points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0.

    World Club Challenge

    LEGEND
      Win
      Draw
      Loss
    DateCompetitionVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
    13 February 2004 WCC Penrith N McAlpine Stadium W 22–4 Vainikolo, L.Pryce, Swann, Parker Withers 3/5, Radford 0/1 18,962
    2004 World Club Challenge Teams
    Bradford Bulls positions Penrith Panthers
    6. Michael Withers Fullback 1. Rhys Wesser
    2. Tevita Vaikona Winger 2. Brett Howland
    16. Paul Johnson Centre 3. Luke Lewis
    4. Shontayne Hape Centre 4. Paul Whatuira
    5. Lesley Vainikolo Winger 5. Luke Rooney
    3. Leon Pryce Stand Off 6. Preston Campbell
    15. Karl Pratt Scrum Half 7. Craig Gower
    29. Stuart Fielden Prop 8. Joel Clinton
    24. Aaron Smith Hooker 9. Luke Priddis
    10. Paul Anderson Prop 10. Martin Lang
    11. Lee Radford 2nd Row 11. Joe Galuvao
    12. Jamie Peacock 2nd Row 12. Tony Puletua
    13. Logan Swann Loose Forward 13. Trent Waterhouse
    8. Joe Vagana Interchange 14. Ben Ross
    17. Stuart Reardon Interchange 15. Colin Ward
    19. Jamie Langley Interchange 16. Shane Rodney
    27. Rob Parker Interchange 17. Luke Swain
    Brian Noble Coach John Lang

    2004 fixtures and results

    LEGEND
      Win
      Draw
      Loss

    2004 Tetley's Super League

    DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
    20 February 2004 Super League IX 1 Wigan H Odsal Stadium W 34–6 Vainikolo (5), Smith, Withers Withers 3/7 17,267
    7 March 2004 Super League IX 2 Wakefield A Belle Vue W 40–6 Bridge (2), Vaikona (2), Vainikolo (2), Johnson, Reardon Deacon 4/8 6,472
    21 March 2004 Super League IX 3 Huddersfield A McAlpine Stadium W 20–6 Johnson (2), Deacon Deacon 4/4 8,039
    2 April 2004 Super League IX 4 Salford H Odsal Stadium W 25–18 Deacon, Johnson, L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 4/4, Withers 1 DG 11,790
    8 April 2004 Super League IX 5 Leeds A Headingley Stadium L 18–26 Hape, Vaikona, Vainikolo Deacon 3/3 21,225
    12 April 2004 Super League IX 6 St Helens H Odsal Stadium W 54–8 Hape (3), Vaikona (2), Vainikolo (2), Withers (2), Langley, Radford Deacon 1/5, Withers 3/4, Paul 1/2 15,623
    23 April 2004 Super League IX 8 Hull FC H Odsal Stadium L 18–26 Deacon, Hape Deacon 5/5 12,684
    27 April 2004 Super League IX 7 Warrington A Halliwell Jones Stadium D 22–22 Withers (2), Smith, Vainikolo Deacon 3/4 8,111
    3 May 2004 Super League IX 9 London A Griffin Park W 24–12 Reardon (2), Deacon, Langley, L.Pryce Deacon 2/5 3,987
    9 May 2004 Super League IX 10 Castleford H Odsal Stadium W 44–18 Reardon (4), Langley (2), Vainikolo (2) Deacon 6/8 12,877
    23 May 2004 Super League IX 11 Widnes A Halton Stadium W 30–20 L.Pryce (2), Hape, Johnson, Smith Deacon 5/5 6,615
    29 May 2004 Super League IX 12 St Helens A Knowsley Road L 30–35 Pratt (3), Anderson, Parker Deacon 5/5 10,993
    5 June 2004 Super League IX 13 Leeds H Odsal Stadium L 12–26 Reardon, Vainikolo Deacon 2/2 23,375
    13 June 2004 Super League IX 14 Salford A The Willows W 35–28 Johnson (2), Vainikolo (2), Bridge, Hape Bridge 4/4, Withers 1/2, Withers 1 DG 5,003
    20 June 2004 Super League IX 15 Huddersfield H Odsal Stadium W 40–12 Hape (2), Fielden, Reardon, Swann Deacon 10/10 11,069
    27 June 2004 Super League IX 16 Widnes H Odsal Stadium W 38–30 Paul (2), Pratt (2), Johnson, L.Pryce, Smith Deacon 3/5, Bridge 2/2 11,137
    4 July 2004 Super League IX 17 Castleford A The Jungle W 60–12 Vainikolo (4), Hape (2), Deacon, Parker, Peacock, L.Pryce Deacon 10/10 6,606
    11 July 2004 Super League IX 18 Wakefield H Odsal Stadium W 36–26 Vainikolo (2), Deacon, Parker, Peacock, Reardon Deacon 6/6 12,670
    16 July 2004 Super League IX 19 Wigan A JJB Stadium L 16–32 Hape, Peacock, Swann Deacon 2/3 15,102
    25 July 2004 Super League IX 20 London H Odsal Stadium W 44–16 Vainikolo (2), Fielden, Langley, Paul, Reardon, Smith, Swann Deacon 4/5, Harris 2/3 10,283
    1 August 2004 Super League IX 21 Hull FC A KC Stadium L 14–25 Hape, Paul Deacon 3/3 14,124
    8 August 2004 Super League IX 22 Warrington H Odsal Stadium W 36–22 Vainikolo (3), Bridge, Hape, Reardon Deacon 6/6 12,891
    13 August 2004 Super League IX 23 Wigan H Odsal Stadium W 38–12 Harris (2), Hape, Langley, Paul, L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 4/5, Harris 1/2 12,610
    20 August 2004 Super League IX 24 Leeds A Headingley Stadium L 12–40 Harris, Swann Deacon 2/2 21,225
    30 August 2004 Super League IX 25 Hull FC A KC Stadium W 26–12 Vainikolo (3), Harris, Langley Deacon 3/5 13,593
    5 September 2004 Super League IX 26 London H Odsal Stadium W 60–18 Hape (3), Parker (2), Swann (2), Fielden, Vagana, Withers Deacon 10/10 11,319
    12 September 2004 Super League IX 27 Warrington A Halliwell Jones Stadium W 28–27 Harris (2), Hape, Langley, Vainikolo Deacon 3/5, Deacon 2 DG 10,008
    19 September 2004 Super League IX 28 St Helens H Odsal Stadium W 64–24 Reardon (3), Vainikolo (3), Hape (2), Deacon, Peacock, Withers Deacon 10/11 13,127

    Challenge Cup

    LEGEND
      Win
      Draw
      Loss
    DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
    29 February 2004 Cup 4th St Helens H Odsal Stadium L 10–30 Deacon, Radford Deacon 1/2 12,215

    Playoffs

    LEGEND
      Win
      Draw
      Loss
    DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
    2 October 2004 Play-offs QSF Leeds A Headingley Stadium W 26–12 Hape (2), Paul, Radford, Vainikolo Deacon 3/5 21,225
    16 October 2004 Play-offs GF Leeds N Old Trafford L 8–16 Hape, Vainikolo Deacon 0/2 65,537

    2004 squad statistics

    For more details on this topic, see Bradford Bulls.
    No Player Position Tries Goals DG Points
    1 Robbie Paul Fullback 6 1 0 26
    2 Tevita Vaikona Wing 5 0 0 20
    3 Leon Pryce Centre 8 0 0 32
    4 Shontayne Hape Centre 24 0 0 96
    5 Lesley Vainikolo Wing 39 0 0 156
    6 Michael Withers Fullback 7 10 2 50
    7 Paul Deacon Scrum-half 8 124 2 282
    8 Joe Vagana Prop 1 0 0 4
    10 Paul Anderson Prop 1 0 0 4
    11 Lee Radford Second Row 3 0 0 12
    12 Jamie Peacock Second Row 4 0 0 16
    13 Logan Swann Loose forward 7 0 0 28
    14 Toa Kohe-Love Centre 0 0 0 0
    15 Karl Pratt Stand Off 5 0 0 20
    16 Paul Johnson Centre 8 0 0 32
    17 Stuart Reardon Fullback 15 0 0 60
    18 Iestyn Harris Stand Off 6 3 0 30
    19 Jamie Langley Loose forward 8 0 0 32
    20 Matt Cook Prop 0 0 0 0
    22 Karl Pryce Wing 0 0 0 0
    23 Vinny Myler Prop 0 0 0 0
    24 Aaron Smith Hooker 3 0 0 12
    25 Brett Ferres Second Row 0 0 0 0
    26 Chris Bridge Centre 4 6 0 28
    27 Rob Parker Prop 6 0 0 24
    28 Nicky Saxton Fullback 0 0 0 0
    29 Stuart Fielden Prop 3 0 0 12
    30 Richard Moore Wing 0 0 0 0
    31 Richard Colley Scrum-half 0 0 0 0
    32 Andy Smith Wing 2 0 0 8

    = Captain = Injured = Suspended

    References

      External links

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