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2003 Bradford Bulls season

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This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2003 season, the 8th season of the Super League era.

2003 Bradford Bulls season
Super League VIII Rank1st
Play-off resultWinners
Challenge CupWinners
2003 recordWins: 29; draws: 0; losses: 6
Points scoredFor: 1149; against: 637
Team information
ChairmanChris Caisley
Head CoachBrian Noble
Captain
StadiumOdsal Stadium
Avg. attendance15,284
High attendance21,784 vs. Leeds Rhinos
Top scorers
TriesLesley Vainikolo (26)
GoalsPaul Deacon (173)
PointsPaul Deacon (389)
← 2002 List of seasons 2004 →

Season review

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February 2003

The season started off well for the Bulls as they beat Warrington Wolves 38–12 in the 4th Round of the Challenge Cup. Bradford's start to the league campaign was shocking as they were hammered 46–22 by the 2002 champions St Helens R.F.C.

March 2003

Bradford continued their run in the Challenge Cup with an 82–0 victory over lower league Hunslet Hawks with Lesley Vainikolo grabbing a hat-trick. The Bulls got their 1st win of their league campaign with a hard fought 22–10 win against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Bradford progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup by beating Widnes Vikings 38–28 in the quarter-final. The Bulls got their first back to back wins of the season with an outstanding 62–22 victory against Halifax Blue Sox, both James Lowes and Robbie Paul both grabbed hat-tricks. Bradford finished the month off with a hard fought 26–18 win against Widnes Vikings.

April 2003

The Bulls continued their run of form by opening April with a comfortable 32–8 win over Warrington Wolves. Bradford progressed to the Challenge Cup Final as they beat Wigan Warriors 36–22 in the semi-final. The Bulls great league form continued with a 48–24 win over Hull FC. Bradford's month came to a spectacular end as they beat rivals Leeds Rhinos 22–20 to win the Challenge Cup. Tries from Robbie Paul, Jamie Peacock and Tevita Vaikona helped the Bulls win their 2nd Challenge Cup in the Super League era.

May 2003

The Bulls followed their Challenge Cup win with a hard fought 14–8 win against Wigan Warriors. The Bulls good form continued with a hard fought 30–10 win against Castleford Tigers which was made even harder when Leon Pryce was sent off. Bradford recorded a huge win as they beat Huddersfield Giants 52–6 with Robbie Paul scoring a hat-trick. The Bulls finished May with an impressive 48–22 win against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos.

June 2003

Bradford started June with an unfortunate 22–12 loss to London Broncos with Dennis Moran tearing the Bulls apart and scoring a hat-trick. The Bulls got back to winning ways as they edged out Hull F.C. to win the game 26–20. Bradford once again came away with the 2 points as they beat Warrington Wolves 24–20. The Bulls came crashing back to earth as Wigan Warriors beat them 35–22. Bradford then were demolished 35–0 by St Helens R.F.C. at the end of the month.

July 2003

The Bulls started July with a 30–18 win against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats to get the Bulls back to winning ways. Bradford backed this win up with a 60–12 victory over Halifax Blue Sox. The Bulls continued their fine form with a 40–8 win against Widnes Vikings. The streak continued with a 40–20 win over Castleford Tigers and then a 60–6 win against London Broncos where Leon Pryce scored 4 tries.

August 2003

Bradford continued their form into August as they beat Huddersfield Giants 30–16 and then followed this up by beating Leeds Rhinos 18–16 at Headingley Stadium. The Bulls also beat Hull F.C. 36–22 in the middle of the month before losing 26–12 to Wigan Warriors. Bradford bounced back and hammered London Broncos 54–12 with Paul Deacon becoming the highest point scorer for the Bulls in the Super League era as he booted over his 400th goal for the club.

September 2003

Bradford started September with a very narrow 22–21 win against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos, the Bulls won thanks to 2 drop goals from scum-half Paul Deacon. In the run up to the end of the season Bradford lost 28–14 to Castleford Tigers. The Bulls finished the regular rounds with a 22–18 win over St Helens R.F.C. which meant that Bradford finished top of the league ahead of Leeds Rhinos.

October 2003

The Bulls beat arch rivals Leeds Rhinos 30–14 in the Qualifying Semi-final to reach the 2003 Grand Final, in the process Paul Deacon became the first person to score 1,000 points for the Bradford Bulls in the Super League era. A couple of weeks later the Bulls would once again face Wigan Warriors in a Grand Final, the Bradford side won 25–12 after Shontayne Hape, Stuart Reardon and James Lowes (in his last game for the Bulls) all scored tries whilst Paul Deacon kicked 6 goals and a drop goal to make the Bulls Super League champions for a 3rd time.

2003 milestones

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  • CCR4: Shontayne Hape scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • CCR4: Leon Pryce scored his 50th try and reached 200 points for the Bulls.
  • CCR5: Lesley Vainikolo scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • CCR5: Karl Pratt and Rob Parker scored their 1st tries for the Bulls.
  • Round 2: Lee Radford kicked his 1st goal for the Bulls.
  • Round 3: James Lowes scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 3: Robbie Paul scored his 7th hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 3: Stuart Reardon scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 3: Paul Deacon reached 700 points for the Bulls.
  • CCSF: Paul Deacon kicked his 300th goal for the Bulls.
  • Round 10: Robbie Paul scored his 8th hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 10: Paul Deacon reached 800 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 11: Daniel Gartner scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 15: Robbie Paul scored his 125th try and reached 500 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 18: Lesley Vainikolo scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 20: Paul Deacon reached 900 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 7: Leon Pryce scored his 1st four-try haul and 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 7: Jamie Langley scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 23: Lesley Vainikolo scored his 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 25: James Lowes reached 400 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 25: Paul Deacon kicked his 400th goal for the Bulls.
  • Qualifying Semi-final: Paul Deacon reached 1,000 points for the Bulls.

Table

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1   Bradford Bulls (L, C) 28 22 0 6 878 529 +349 44 Semi-final
2   Leeds Rhinos 28 19 3 6 751 555 +196 41
3   Wigan Warriors 28 19 2 7 776 512 +264 40 Elimination play-offs
4   St Helens 28 16 1 11 845 535 +310 31[a]
5   London Broncos 28 14 2 12 643 696 −53 30
6   Warrington Wolves 28 14 1 13 748 619 +129 29
7   Hull F.C. 28 13 3 12 701 577 +124 27[b]
8   Castleford Tigers 28 12 1 15 612 633 −21 25
9   Widnes Vikings 28 12 1 15 640 727 −87 25
10   Huddersfield Giants 28 11 1 16 628 715 −87 23
11   Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 28 7 1 20 505 774 −269 15
12   Halifax (R) 28 1 0 27 372 1227 −855 0[c] Relegation to National League One
Source: Rugby League Project
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Points difference; 3) Number of points scored;
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ St Helens deducted 2 points for salary cap breaches.[1][2]
  2. ^ Hull F.C. deducted 2 points for salary cap breaches.[1][2]
  3. ^ Halifax deducted 2 points for salary cap breaches.[1][2]

2003 Fixtures and results

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LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss

2003 Tetley's Super League

Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att
21 February 2003 Super League VIII 1  St. Helens A Knowsley Road L 22–46 L.Pryce (2), Radford Deacon 5/5 12,217
9 March 2003 Super League VIII 2  Wakefield Trinity Wildcats H Odsal Stadium W 22–10 Gilmour, Hape, Pratt, L.Pryce Radford 3/4 20,283
23 March 2003 Super League VIII 3  Halifax RLFC H Odsal Stadium W 62–22 Lowes (3), Paul (3), Deacon, Hape, Pratt, L.Pryce, Reardon Deacon 7/9, Lowes 2/2 15,557
30 March 2003 Super League VIII 4  Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 26–18 Anderson, Naylor, Paul, Withers Deacon 5/5 6,320
6 April 2003 Super League VIII 5  Warrington Wolves H Odsal Stadium W 32–8 Deacon, Lowes, L.Pryce, Vaikona, Vainikolo, Withers Deacon 4/6 15,540
18 April 2003 Super League VIII 6  Hull F.C. H Odsal Stadium W 48–24 Pratt (2), L.Pryce (2), Hape, Lowes, Vaikona, Vainikolo Deacon 8/8 15,182
2 May 2003 Super League VIII 8  Wigan Warriors A JJB Stadium W 14–8 L.Pryce (2), Vainikolo Deacon 1/3 10,281
11 May 2003 Super League VIII 9  Castleford Tigers H Odsal Stadium W 30–10 Vaikona (2), Deacon, Vagana Deacon 7/7 14,749
18 May 2003 Super League VIII 10  Huddersfield Giants A McAlpine Stadium W 52–6 Paul (3), Vaikona (2), Naylor, Peacock, Pratt, Vainikolo Deacon 3/4, Radford 5/5 8,297
23 May 2003 Super League VIII 11  Leeds Rhinos H Odsal Stadium W 48–22 Vaikona (2), Vainikolo (2), Anderson, Gartner, Paul, Pratt Deacon 8/8 21,784
1 June 2003 Super League VIII 12  London Broncos H Odsal Stadium L 12–22 Naylor, Parker Deacon 2/2 10,835
8 June 2003 Super League VIII 13  Hull F.C. A KC Stadium W 26–20 Hape, Pratt, Vainikolo Deacon 7/7 19,549
15 June 2003 Super League VIII 14  Warrington Wolves A Wilderspool W 24–20 Forshaw, Gartner, Naylor, Paul Deacon 4/4 7,507
21 June 2003 Super League VIII 15  Wigan Warriors H Odsal Stadium L 22–35 Deacon, Gartner, Paul, Vagana Deacon 3/4 15,732
27 June 2003 Super League VIII 16  St. Helens H Odsal Stadium L 0–35 – – 11,127
6 July 2003 Super League VIII 17  Wakefield Trinity Wildcats A Belle Vue W 30–18 Hape (2), Gartner, Lowes, Vagana, Vaikona Deacon 3/6 4,658
11 July 2003 Super League VIII 18  Halifax RLFC A The Shay W 60–12 Gartner (2), Parker (2), Vainikolo (2), Anderson, Deacon, Hape, Naylor, Radford Deacon 8/11 4,555
20 July 2003 Super League VIII 19  Widnes Vikings H Odsal Stadium W 40–8 Radford (2), Vainikolo (2), Hape, Reardon, Vaikona Deacon 6/7 12,116
27 July 2003 Super League VIII 20  Castleford Tigers A The Jungle W 40–20 Deacon, Gartner, Gilmour, Naylor, L.Pryce, Radford, Vaikona Deacon 6/7 9,081
30 July 2003 Super League VIII 7  London Broncos A Griffin Park W 60–6 L.Pryce (4), Vainikolo (2), Anderson, Langley, Lowes, Naylor, Vaikona Deacon 8/11 3,651
3 August 2003 Super League VIII 21  Huddersfield Giants H Odsal Stadium W 30–16 Deacon (2), Radford, Reardon, Vainikolo Deacon 5/5 11,368
8 August 2003 Super League VIII 22  Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Stadium W 18–16 Forshaw, Parker, Vainikolo Deacon 3/3 23,035
16 August 2003 Super League VIII 23  Hull F.C. H Odsal Stadium W 36–22 Vainikolo (3), Gilmour (2), Anderson, Langley Radford 4/7 10,478
25 August 2003 Super League VIII 24  Wigan Warriors A JJB Stadium L 12–26 Vagana, Vaikona Deacon 2/2 14,714
31 August 2003 Super League VIII 25  London Broncos A Griffin Park W 54–12 Peacock (2), Vaikona (2), Hape, Lowes, Parker, Radford, Vagana Deacon 9/9 3,510
7 September 2003 Super League VIII 26  Leeds Rhinos H Odsal Stadium W 22–21 Deacon, Reardon, Vainikolo Deacon 4/4, Deacon 2 DG 21,102
14 September 2003 Super League VIII 27  Castleford Tigers H Odsal Stadium L 14–28 Hape, L.Pryce Deacon 3/3 13,628
19 September 2003 Super League VIII 28  St. Helens A Knowsley Road W 22–18 Hape, L.Pryce, Vaikona, Vainikolo Deacon 3/4 8,432

Challenge Cup

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LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att
8 February 2003 Cup 4th  Warrington Wolves A Wilderspool W 38–12 Vainikolo (2), Hape, Naylor, Paul, L.Pryce Deacon 7/7 5,869
2 March 2003 Cup 5th  Hunslet Hawks A South Leeds Stadium W 82–0 Vainikolo (3), Pratt (2), L.Pryce (2), Vaikona (2), Fielden, Gartner, Gilmour, Hape, Parker, Radford Deacon 11/15 5,685
15 March 2003 Cup QF  Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 38–28 Forshaw (2), Hape, Naylor, Paul, L.Pryce Deacon 7/7 4,219
13 April 2003 Cup SF  Wigan Warriors N McAlpine Stadium W 36–22 Radford (2), Deacon, Hape, Lowes, Vaikona Deacon 6/6 15,359
26 April 2003 Cup Final  Leeds Rhinos N Millennium Stadium W 22–20 Paul, Peacock, Vaikona Deacon 5/5 71,212

Playoffs

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LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
Date Competition Rnd Vrs H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Att
4 October 2003 Play-offs QSF  Leeds Rhinos H Odsal Stadium W 30–14 Forshaw (2), L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 7/7 19,786
18 October 2003 Play-offs GF  Wigan Warriors N Old Trafford W 25–12 Hape, Lowes, Reardon Deacon 6/6, Deacon 1 DG 65,537

2003 squad statistics

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Further information: Bradford Bulls
  • Appearances and Points include (Super League, Challenge Cup and Play-offs) as of 2012.
No Player Position Tries Goals DG Points
1 Robbie Paul Fullback 13 0 0 52
2 Tevita Vaikona Wing 20 0 0 80
3 Leon Pryce Centre 21 0 0 84
4 Shontayne Hape Centre 16 0 0 64
5 Lesley Vainikolo Wing 26 0 0 104
6 Michael Withers Fullback 2 0 0 8
7 Paul Deacon Scrum-half 10 173 3 389
8 Joe Vagana Prop 5 0 0 20
9 James Lowes Hooker 10 2 0 44
10 Paul Anderson Prop 5 0 0 20
11 Daniel Gartner Second Row 8 0 0 32
12 Jamie Peacock Second Row 4 0 0 16
13 Mike Forshaw Loose forward 6 0 0 24
14 Lee Gilmour Centre 5 0 0 20
15 Karl Pratt Stand Off 9 0 0 36
16 Alex Wilkinson Wing 0 0 0 0
17 Stuart Reardon Fullback 5 0 0 20
18 Lee Radford Prop 10 12 0 64
19 Jamie Langley Loose forward 2 0 0 8
20 Scott Naylor Centre 9 0 0 36
22 Karl Pryce Wing 0 0 0 0
23 Vinny Myler Prop 0 0 0 0
26 Chris Bridge Centre 0 0 0 0
27 Rob Parker Prop 6 0 0 24
29 Stuart Fielden Prop 1 0 0 4
30 Richard Moore Wing 0 0 0 0

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Champions lose points". BBC Sport. 29 May 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Hull call for cap changes". BBC Sport. 17 July 2003. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
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