2005 Bradford Bulls season

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2005 Bradford Bulls season
Super League X Rank3rd
Play-off resultWinners
Challenge Cup 5th round
2005 recordWins: 23; draws: 1; losses: 10
Points scoredFor: 1295; against: 770
Team information
ChairmanChris Caisley
Head Coach Brian Noble
Captain
Stadium Odsal Stadium
Avg. attendance13,523
High attendance22,843 vs. Leeds Rhinos
Top scorers
Tries Lesley Vainikolo (34)
Goals Paul Deacon (169)
Points Paul Deacon (391)
<  2004 List of seasons 2006  >

This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2005 season, the 10th season of the Super League era.

Contents

Season review

February 2005

The Bulls started their campaign with a 28–16 loss to Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Iestyn Harris, Jamie Langley and Karl Pryce all scored for the Bulls whilst Paul Deacon kicked 2 goals. Bradford continued their poor start to the season by losing 31–22 to Widnes Vikings, Iestyn Harris, Karl Pryce, Leon Pryce and Andy Smith scored tries whilst Deacon kicked 3 goals. Bradford finally got their first win of the season by beating Wigan Warriors 28–27. Iestyn Harris, Jamie Langley, Jamie Peacock, Stuart Reardon and Michael Withers all scored and Deacon kicked 4 conversions.

March 2005

Bradford started March with a 48–22 win over London Broncos. Paul Deacon and Lesley Vainikolo both scored 2 tries whilst Paul Johnson, Jamie Langley, Brad Meyers, Robbie Paul and Karl Pryce also scored. Deacon added 6 goals. The Bulls continued their good form as they hammered Leigh Centurions 46–6, Iestyn Harris and Karl Pryce both grabbed a brace each while Deacon, Langley, Rob Parker, Leon Pryce and Vainikolo all scored 1 a piece. Deacon added 5 goals. Bradford grabbed another win as they beat Hull F.C. 32–22. Iestyn Harris, Andy Lynch, Karl Pryce and Leon Pryce all scored tries and Deacon kicked 8 goals to ensure Bradford won the game. Bradford's winning streak came to an abrupt halt as they lost 42–12 to rivals Leeds Rhinos. Karl Pryce and Stuart Reardon scored the Bulls only tries and Deacon converted both. The final game of the month saw the Bulls lose to St Helens R.F.C. Lynch scored a brace of tries and scored from Robbie Paul and Karl Pryce wasn't enough to get the win, Deacon also kicked 5 goals and a drop goal.

April 2005

The Bulls progressed in the Challenge Cup by beating Featherstone Rovers 80–14. Robbie Paul and Andy Smith grabbed hat-tricks, Iestyn Harris and Brett Ferres scored a brace each. Rob Parker, Stuart Fielden, Leon Pryce and Karl Pratt also scored. Paul Deacon kicked 11 goals and Joe Vagana also kicked 1. Bradford's poor form in the league was extended as Warrington Wolves beat them 35–32, Jamie Langley and Lesley Vainikolo both scored two tries each whilst Brad Meyers and Michael Withers also crossed, Deacon kicked 4 goals. Bradford recorded a 54–10 win over the Huddersfield Giants, Vainikolo scored a hat-trick, Stuart Reardon scored two, Stuart Fielden, Jamie Langley, Robbie Paul, Karl Pratt and Lee Radford wrapped up the scoring. Deacon kicked a goal and Iestyn Harris kicked six. The Bulls beat Wigan Warriors 40–8 in a one sided affair, Brad Meyers scored a brace whilst Fielden, Paul, Reardon, Vainikolo and Withers also scored tries. Deacon kicked 6 goals.

May 2005

The Bulls started May with a big win over London Broncos. The Bradford side ran out 41–22 winners with tries coming from Stuart Fielden, Iestyn Harris, Jamie Langley, Jamie Peacock, Karl Pryce, Leon Pryce and Stuart Reardon. Paul Deacon kicked 6 goals and also knocked over a drop goal. Bradford's Challenge Cup was ended by a strong Hull F.C. side. The Bulls went down 26–24 with Peacock, Lesley Vainikolo (2) and Karl Pryce all scoring, Deacon kicked 4 goals. Their league form was still going strong with a 58–0 win against Salford City Reds, Karl Pryce and Deacon both scored hat-tricks whilst Vainikolo grabbed 2 tries. Other scores came with tries from Rob Parker, Karl Pratt and Leon Pryce, Deacon kicked 7 goals. The following week Bradford lost 44–24 to Warrington Wolves, Iestyn Harris, Peacock, Reardon and Vainikolo scored tries and Deacon converted all 4. In revenge for their Challenge Cup loss the Bulls hammered Hull F.C. 42–24. Tries came from Leon Pryce (2), Brett Ferres, Brad Meyers, Karl Pryce and Reardon, Deacon managed to kick all 9 goals.

June 2005

Bradford didn't get off to a good start in June as they were beat 66–4 by St Helens R.F.C. with Stuart Reardon scoring Bradford's only try. They followed this defeat with a 38–20 win against Huddersfield Giants, Robbie Paul scored 2 tries whilst Ben Harris, Rob Parker, Karl Pryce, Lee Radford and Reardon also touched down to score. Paul Deacon added 5 goals to ensure a Bradford win. However their next game against Widnes Vikings ended in an 18–18 draw, Paul scored 2 tries, Deacon and Radford also crossed to score tries and Deacon kicked 4 goals and a drop goal.

July 2005

July started off with two defeats for the Bulls. The first was a 36–26 loss to archrivals Leeds Rhinos. Tries came from Paul Johnson (2), Ben Harris, Brad Meyers and Jamie Peacock whilst Paul Deacon kicked 3 goals. The second defeat at the start of July came at the hands of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats who beat Bradford 44–34. Karl Pratt claimed a hat-trick while Deacon, Meyers and Michael Withers also scored, Deacon kicked 5 goals. However the Bulls got back to winning ways with a 58–12 win over Leigh Centurions. Ben Harris grabbed a hat-trick, Stuart Fielden, Iestyn Harris, Ian Henderson, Meyers, Pratt, Leon Pryce and Withers all scored tries. Deacon kicked 6 goals and Iestyn Harris kicked 3 goals. This win was followed by a hard fought 24–18 victory against Salford City Reds, Deacon, Iestyn Harris, Karl Pryce and brother Leon Pryce all scored tries whilst Deacon kicked 3 goals and Iestyn Harris slotted over a goal to ensure the win.

August 2005

Bradford's first game in August was against Widnes Vikings, the Bulls racked up a 74–24 win against the struggling side. Shontayne Hape, Stuart Reardon, Lesley Vainikolo and Michael Withers all scored 2 tries each while Stuart Fielden, Iestyn Harris, Andy Lynch, Jamie Peacock and Leon Pryce all took a try a piece. Paul Deacon kicked 11 goals to round off a huge victory. This was followed by a 58–12 win against Salford City Reds. Hape and Iestyn Harris both grabbed 2 tries, Deacon, Paul Johnson, Lynch, Peacock, Leon Pryce and Vainikolo also scored with Deacon kicked 7 goals and Iestyn Harris kicked 2 goals. The Bulls last game in August came against their old rivals Leeds Rhinos, this time Bradford managed a 42–10 win. Hape grabbed a hat-trick while Deacon, Iestyn Harris, Jamie Langley, Lynch and Robbie Paul rounded off the tries, Deacon kicked 5 goals.

September 2005

Lesley Vainikolo had an outstanding start to September as he scored a Super League record 6 tries in the 49–6 win over Hull FC, other tries came from Stuart Fielden, Shontayne Hape, Jamie Peacock and Joe Vagana. Paul Deacon kicked 4 goals and a drop goal. This win was followed up by a 52–34 victory over the Huddersfield Giants. Tries were scored by Paul Johnson (2), Vainikolo (2), Deacon, Fielden, Ian Henderson, Brad Meyers and Lee Radford. Deacon kicked 8 goals to ensure victory. The last league game of the season came against St Helens R.F.C. at Knowsley Road. The Bulls won 32–18 with Johnson and Vainikolo scoring a brace of tries, Ben Harris and Leon Pryce rounded off the try scoring whilst Deacon kicked 4 goals. This win meant the Bulls finished the season on an 8-game winning streak and finished the league in 3rd place. The playoffs pitted Bradford against London Broncos, the Bulls came away with a convincing 44–22 win, Iestyn Harris scored 2 tries, Vainikolo scored 2 tries with Hape, Henderson, Peacock and Karl Pryce all grabbing a try a piece. Iestyn Harris kicked 5 goals while Karl Pryce kicked 1 goal.

October 2005

The next round of the playoffs saw Bradford against Hull FC, the Bulls achieved a record playoff win as they coasted to a 71–0 win. Lesley Vainikolo scored 4 tries, Ian Henderson grabbed a brace while Stuart Fielden, Shontayne Hape, Iestyn Harris, Paul Johnson, Jamie Peacock and Michael Withers also crossed for tries. Paul Deacon kicked 10 goals, Robbie Paul kicked a goal and Iestyn Harris kicked a drop goal. In the semi-final the Bulls beat St Helens R.F.C. 23–18, Hape grabbed 2 tries, Johnson also crossed for a try and Jamie Langley grabbed the winner. Deacon kicked 4 goals and a drop goal to ensure the Bulls a place in the Grand Final. The Grand Final marked the 6th consecutive appearance for the Bulls and it pitted them in a rematch of the 2004 Grand Final as they faced arch enemies Leeds Rhinos. The Bulls won 15–6 with Vainikolo and Leon Pryce scoring, Deacon kicked 3 goals and Iestyn Harris slotted a drop goal to give the Bulls their 4th Super League title. It also marked the last game for Bradford legend Robbie Paul as he moved to Huddersfield Giants.

2005 milestones

Table

Pos.TeamPldWDLPFPAPDPtsQual.
1 Saintscolours.svg St. Helens 2823141028537+49147Play-off semi-final
2 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 2822061152505+64744
3 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 2818191038684+35437Play-off elimination finals
4 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 2818010792702+9036
5 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. 2815211756670+8632
6 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos 2813213800718+8228
7 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 2814014698718−2028
8 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants 2812016742791−4924
9 Redscolours.svg Salford City Reds 2811017549732−18322
10 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 2810018716999−28320
11 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings 2861215981048−45013Relegated to National League 1
12 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions 2821254451210−7655

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.

2005 fixtures and results

LEGEND
 Win
 Draw
 Loss

2005 Tetley's Super League

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
13 February 2005 Super League X 1 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats H Odsal Stadium L16–28 I.Harris, Langley, K.Pryce Deacon 2/315,137
20 February 2005 Super League X 2 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium L22–31 I.Harris, K.Pryce, L.Pryce, Smith Deacon 3/47,230
25 February 2005 Super League X 3 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors A JJB Stadium W28–27 I.Harris, Langley, Peacock, Reardon, Withers Deacon 4/513,111
6 March 2005 Super League X 4 Cronulla colours.svg London Broncos H Odsal Stadium W48–22 Deacon (2), Vainikolo (2), Johnson, Langley, Meyers, Paul, K.Pryce Deacon 6/911,282
11 March 2005 Super League X 5 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions A The Coliseum W46–6 I.Harris (2), K.Pryce (2), Deacon, Langley, Parker, L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 5/94,241
18 March 2005 Super League X 6 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. H Odsal Stadium W32–22 I.Harris, Lynch, K.Pryce, L.Pryce Deacon 8/813,394
24 March 2005 Super League X 7 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos H Odsal Stadium L12–42 K.Pryce, Reardon Deacon 2/222,843
28 March 2005 Super League X 8 Saintscolours.svg St. Helens A Knowsley Road L27–34 Lynch (2), Paul, K.Pryce Deacon 5/5, Deacon 1 DG12,364
10 April 2005 Super League X 9 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves A Halliwell Jones Stadium L32–35 Langley (2), Vainikolo (2), Meyers, Withers Deacon 4/610,654
17 April 2005 Super League X 10 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants H Odsal Stadium W54–10 Vainikolo (3), Reardon (2), Fielden, Langley, Paul, Pratt, Radford Deacon 1/4, I.Harris 6/613,481
22 April 2005 Super League X 11 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors H Odsal Stadium W40–8 Meyers (2), Fielden, Paul, Reardon, Vainikolo, Withers Deacon 6/713,527
1 May 2005 Super League X 12 Cronulla colours.svg London Broncos A Griffin Park W41–26 Fielden, I.Harris, Langley, Peacock, K.Pryce, L.Pryce, Reardon Deacon 6/7, Deacon 1 DG3,879
13 May 2005 Super League X 13 Redscolours.svg Salford City Reds A The Willows W58–0 Deacon (3), K.Pryce (3), Vainikolo (2), Parker, Pratt, L.Pryce Deacon 7/114,102
22 May 2005 Super League X 14 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves H Odsal Stadium L24–44 I.Harris, Peacock, Reardon, Vainikolo Deacon 4/414,428
28 May 2005 Super League X 15 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. A KC Stadium W42–24 L.Pryce (2), Ferres, Meyers, K.Pryce, Reardon Deacon 9/911,563
5 June 2005 Super League X 16 Saintscolours.svg St. Helens H Odsal Stadium L4–66 Reardon Deacon 0/115,260
11 June 2005 Super League X 17 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants A Galpharm Stadium W38–20 Paul (2), B.Harris, Parker, K.Pryce, Radford, Reardon Deacon 5/76,022
19 June 2005 Super League X 18 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings H Odsal Stadium D25–25 Paul (2), Deacon, Radford Deacon 4/4, Deacon 1 DG10,715
1 July 2005 Super League X 19 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Stadium L26–36 Johnson (2), B.Harris, Meyers, Peacock Deacon 3/521,225
10 July 2005 Super League X 20 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity Wildcats A Belle Vue L34–44 Pratt (3), Deacon, Meyers, Withers Deacon 5/65,984
17 July 2005 Super League X 21 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions H Odsal Stadium W58–12 B.Harris (3), Fielden, I.Harris, Henderson, Meyers, Pratt, L.Pryce, Withers Deacon 6/6, I.Harris 3/310,294
22 July 2005 Super League X 22 Redscolours.svg Salford City Reds A The Willows W24–18 Deacon, I.Harris, K.Pryce, L.Pryce Deacon 3/3, I.Harris 1/13,684
7 August 2005 Super League X 23 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings H Odsal Stadium W74–24 Hape (2), Reardon (2), Vainikolo (2), Withers (2), Fielden, I.Harris, Lynch, Peacock, L.Pryce Deacon 11/1310,128
14 August 2005 Super League X 24 Redscolours.svg Salford City Reds H Odsal Stadium W58–12 Hape (2), I.Harris (2), Deacon, Johnson, Lynch, Peacock, L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 7/8, I.Harris 2/210,113
19 August 2005 Super League X 25 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos A Headingley Stadium W42–10 Hape (3), Deacon, I.Harris, Langley, Lynch, Paul Deacon 5/820,220
2 September 2005 Super League X 26 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. H Odsal Stadium W49–6 Vainikolo (6), Fielden, Hape, Peacock, Vagana Deacon 4/10, Deacon 1 DG13,326
11 September 2005 Super League X 27 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants H Odsal Stadium W52–34 Johnson (2), Vainikolo (2), Deacon, Fielden, Henderson, Meyers, Radford Deacon 8/913,207
17 September 2005 Super League X 28 Saintscolours.svg St. Helens A Knowsley Road W32–18 Johnson (2), Vainikolo (2), B.Harris, L.Pryce Deacon 4/711,064

Challenge Cup

LEGEND
 Win
 Draw
 Loss
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
3 April 2005 Cup 4th Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers H Odsal Stadium W80–14 Paul (3), Parker, Fielden, L.Pryce, I.Harris (2), Smith (3), Pratt, Ferres (2) Deacon 11/12, Vagana 1/1
7 May 2005 Cup 5th Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. A KC Stadium L24–26 Peacock, Vainikolo (2), K.Pryce Deacon 4/4

Playoffs

LEGEND
 Win
 Draw
 Loss
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
23 September 2005 Play-offs EPO Cronulla colours.svg London Broncos H Odsal Stadium W44–22 I.Harris (2), Vainikolo (2), Hape, Henderson, Peacock, K.Pryce I.Harris 5/7, K.Pryce 1/19,167
1 October 2005 Play-offs ESF Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. H Odsal Stadium W71–0 Vainikolo (4), Henderson (2), Fielden, Hape, I.Harris, Johnson, Peacock, Withers Deacon 10/11, Paul 1/1, I.Harris 1 DG13,148
7 October 2005 Play-offs SF Saintscolours.svg St. Helens A Knowsley Road W23–18 Hape (2), Johnson, Langley Deacon 4/5, Deacon 1 DG11,604
15 October 2005 Play-offs GF Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos N Old Trafford W15–6 L.Pryce, Vainikolo Deacon 3/5, I.Harris 1 DG65,537

2005 squad statistics

NoPlayerPositionTriesGoalsDGPoints
1 Robbie Paul Stand Off 121050
3 Leon Pryce Stand Off 140056
4 Shontayne Hape Centre 120048
5 Lesley Vainikolo Wing 3400136
6 Michael Withers Fullback 80032
7 Paul Deacon Scrum-half 121695391
8 Joe Vagana Prop 1106
9 Ian Henderson Hooker 50020
10 Brad Meyers Prop 90036
11 Lee Radford Second Row 40016
12 Jamie Peacock Second Row 100040
13 Ben Harris Loose forward 60024
14 Andy Lynch Prop 60024
15 Karl Pratt Centre 70028
16 Paul Johnson Second Row 100040
17 Stuart Reardon Fullback 120048
18 Iestyn Harris Stand Off 19172112
19 Jamie Langley Loose forward 100040
20 Matt Cook Prop 0000
22 Karl Pryce Wing 171070
24 Andy Smith Wing 40016
25 Brett Ferres Second Row 30012
27 Rob Parker Prop 40016
29 Stuart Fielden Prop 90036
30 Adrian Morley Prop 0000

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References