2003 Super League Grand Final

The 2003 Super League Grand Final was the 6th official Grand Final conclusive and premiership-deciding match of Super League VIII. Held on Saturday 18 October 2003 at Old Trafford, Manchester, the game was played between Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors. The match was refereed Karl Kirkpatrick and watched by a crowd of 65,537, with Bradford winning 25 - 12.

2003 (2003) Super League Grand Final  ()
12 Total
BRA 421 25
WIG 66 12
Date18 October 2003
StadiumOld Trafford
LocationEngland Manchester
Harry Sunderland TrophyEngland Stuart Reardon ( Bradford Bulls)
RefereeKarl Kirkpatrick
Attendance65,537
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
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Background edit

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1   Bradford Bulls 28 22 0 6 878 529 +349 44
3   Wigan Warriors 28 19 2 7 751 555 +196 41

Route to the Final edit

Bradford Bulls edit

Bradford finished top of the table so qualified straight to the play-off semi-final. They were drawn at home to Leeds Rhinos and won 30–14 to qualify for the grand final.

Wigan Warriors edit

Wigan finished third in the table so had to play their way through three rounds of play-off matches. In the elimination play-off they beat Warrington 25–12, the semi-final saw them beat St Helens 40–24 and then in the elimination final they beat Leeds Rhinos 23–22 to set up the final against Bradford.

Wigan
Round Opposition Score
Elimination Play-off   Warrington Wolves (H) 25-12
Elimination Semi-Final   St Helens (H) 40-24
Elimination Final   Leeds Rhinos (H) 23-22
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Match details edit

Bradford Bulls Position Wigan Warriors
  Stuart Reardon Fullback 1   Kris Radlinski
2   Tevita Vaikona Wing 2   Brian Carney
  Michael Withers Centre 3   Martin Aspinwall
  Shontayne Hape Centre   David Hodgson
5   Lesley Vainikolo Wing 5   Brett Dallas
  Karl Pratt Stad Off   Sean O'Loughlin
7   Paul Deacon Scrum half 7   Luke Robinson
  Joe Vagana Prop  Quentin Pongia
9   James Lowes Fullback 9   Terry Newton
10   Stuart Fielden Prop   Craig Smith
  Daniel Gartner Second Row   Mick Cassidy
11   Jamie Peacock Second Row   Danny Tickle
  Mike Forshaw Loose forward 13   Andy Farrell
  Leon Pryce Interchange   Paul Johnson
6   Robbie Paul   Mark Smith
  Lee Radford   Gareth Hock
  Paul Anderson   Terry O'Connor
  Brian Noble Coaches   Mike Gregory

World Club Challenge edit

Having won the championship, the Bradford Bulls were to play 2003 NRL season premiers, the Penrith Panthers in the following February's World Club Challenge.

References edit