2000 Bradford Bulls season explained

Year:2000
Team Colour:
  1. ffffff
Font Colour:
  1. f32824
League:Super League
League Link:Super League V
League Rank:3rd
League Wins:21
League Draws:3
League Losses:7
Points For:1247
Points Against:536
Playoff Result:Semi-final
Cup:Challenge Cup
Cup Result:Winners
Cup Wins:5
Cup Losses:0
Ceo Title:Chairman
Ceo:Chris Caisley
Coach Title:Head Coach
Coach:Matthew Elliott
Stadium:Odsal Stadium
Avg Attendance:14,052
High Attendance:21,237 vs. Leeds Rhinos
Top Tries:Robbie Paul (19)
Top Goals:Henry Paul (179)
Top Points:Henry Paul (404)
Prev Season:1999
Next Season:2001
List:yes
List Link:List of Bradford Bulls seasons

This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 2000 season, the 5th season of the Super League era.

Season review

February 2000

Bradford kicked off the 2000 season with a 32–4 win over Huddersfield Giants in the 4th round of the Challenge Cup, the Bulls followed this win up by smashing Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 46–0 in the 5th round.

March 2000

The Bulls started Super League V with a 32–10 win over premiership winners St. Helens at Knowsley Road. Bradford's quest to become cup winners continued with a hard fought 28–18 win against Halifax. The Bulls resumed their defence of the Super League League Leader's Shield with a 58–4 win against Warrington Wolves. Warrington Wolves were once again on the end of a defeat as the Bulls beat them the following week 44–10 in the semi-final of the Challenge Cup.

April 2000

Bradford continued their great run of form with an astounding performance to beat Huddersfield Giants 60–2 at the McAlpine Stadium, the star of the game being Henry Paul who was immaculate with the boot kicking 10 goals. The backed this performance up at home with a 44–12 win against Castleford Tigers. Salford City Reds were the next team to suffer defeat at the hands of Bradford going down 52–1 at The Willows. The week before the Challenge Cup Final the Bulls hosted London Broncos, the Bulls won the game 32–12. Bradford travelled up to Scotland for the Challenge Cup Final against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos. After a hard fought game the Bulls came out 24–18 winners after Nathan McAvoy scored an outstanding individual try to give Bradford the win and their 4th Challenge Cup (1st since Super League began).

May 2000

The first game of May for Bradford was against Hull FC, both sides shared the points as the game ended in an 8–8 draw. The Bulls got back to winning ways as they beat Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 44–16. The next week they demolished a poor Halifax Blue Sox 62–2 with Justin Brooker grabbing a hat-trick. Leeds Rhinos were next up for the Bulls, Bradford expected a hard match after they beat Leeds in the Challenge Cup Final however the Bulls ran rampant and won the game 44–2. Their first loss of the season came against Warrington Wolves as the Wolves claimed a 42–32 win over Bradford.

June 2000

Bradford started June with two hard games against St Helens R.F.C. and Wigan Warriors. The Bulls managed to sneak a 17–16 win against the Saints thanks to a Paul Deacon drop goal. The points were shared at the JJB Stadium as Henry Paul's goal kicked helped the Bulls to draw 12–12. The hard start ended with the visit of Huddersfield Giants, Bradford dispatched the Giants 48–20 with Tevita Vaikona grabbing a hat-trick. They backed up this win with a 39–10 win at Castleford Tigers. The Bulls set a Super League record as they embarrassed Salford City Reds at Odsal Stadium, the Paul brothers were the star players with Robbie scoring 4 tries and Henry scoring a try and kicking 14 goals in the 96–16 win. Bradford finished a tough month with a 30–18 loss to Wigan Warriors.

July 2000

Bradford had a close 24–16 victory against London Broncos to get over their loss to Wigan the previous month. The Bulls soon got back to playing quality rugby as they took Hull F.C. apart and beat the 56–6 at Odsal before grinding out a 30–20 win against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats the following week. However they once again finished a month with a loss as arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos took the points by winning 28–26 in front of at 21,237 crowd at Odsal Stadium.

August 2000

Bradford drew 20–20 against Halifax Blue Sox at the new The Shay to start August. They backed this draw up with a convincing 28–8 win against Castleford Tigers, this gave the Bulls some confidence and it showed as they destroyed Huddersfield Giants 52–20 the following week. Wigan Warriors beat the Bulls 20–19 at Odsal Stadium which killed off Bradford's hopes of finishing top of the league.

September 2000

The Bulls started September with a hard fought 25–18 win over Halifax Blue Sox, a late Paul Deacon drop goal secured the points for Bradford. They also got revenge over rivals Leeds Rhinos as a Henry Paul penalty ensured the Bulls won 14–12. However they finished the season on a low as an under strength Bradford side lost 25–12 to Hull F.C. which ensured that Bradford finished 3rd in the league. The Bulls lost the Qualifying Play-off game 16–11 to St Helens R.F.C., a very late Chris Joynt try (the infamous Wide to West play) ensures Saints won the match. Bradford got back on track as they beat Leeds Rhinos 46–12 in the Elimination Semi-final.

October 2000

Bradford's season ended in the Final Eliminator as they lost 40–12 against Wigan Warriors.

2000 milestones

2000 Fixtures and results

LEGEND
 width=100Win
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2000 Tetley's Bitter Super League

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
 3 March 2000Super League V1St. HelensAKnowsley RoadW32–10Lowes (2), McAvoy, R.Paul, WithersH.Paul 6/610,128
 19 March 2000Super League V2Warrington WolvesHOdsal StadiumW58–4Brooker (2), R.Paul (2), Anderson, Forshaw, Lowes, Mackay, McAvoy, H.Paul, SpruceH.Paul 7/1117,127
 2 April 2000Super League V3Huddersfield GiantsAMcAlpine StadiumW60–2Brooker (2), McAvoy (2), Anderson, Boyle, Fielden, Mackay, R.Paul, VaikonaH.Paul 10/107,083
 9 April 2000Super League V4Castleford TigersHOdsal StadiumW44–12Lowes (2), Fielden, McAvoy, H.Paul, Spruce, WithersH.Paul 7/7, H.Paul 1 DG, Lowes 1 DG15,237
 16 April 2000Super League V5Salford City RedsAThe WillowsW52–1Withers (2), Boyle, Mackay, McAvoy, McDermott, Naylor, H.Paul, SpruceDeacon 8/96,468
 21 April 2000Super League V6London BroncosHOdsal StadiumW32–12Spruce (2), Anderson, Lowes, NaylorDeacon 6/613,239
 3 May 2000Super League V7Hull F.C.AThe BoulevardD8–8PryceDeacon 2/27,886
 7 May 2000Super League V8Wakefield Trinity WildcatsHOdsal StadiumW44–16Brooker, Deacon, Lowes, Mackay, Naylor, R.Paul, Smith, SpruceH.Paul 6/815,276
 12 May 2000Super League V9Halifax Blue SoxHOdsal StadiumW62–2Brooker (3), Naylor (2), Spruce (2), Anderson, Fielden, Forshaw, H.PaulH.Paul 9/1114,084
 19 May 2000Super League V10Leeds RhinosAHeadingley StadiumW44–2Spruce (2), Lowes, Mackay, McAvoy, R.Paul, PryceH.Paul 8/818,769
 28 May 2000Super League V11Warrington WolvesAWilderspool StadiumL32–42Anderson (2), Naylor, R.Paul, PryceH.Paul 6/68,302
 2 June 2000Super League V12St. HelensHOdsal StadiumW17–16Fielden (2), BoyleH.Paul 2/3, Deacon 1 DG13,237
 7 June 2000Super League V13Wigan WarriorsAJJB StadiumD12–12DeaconH.Paul 4/417,365
 11 June 2000Super League V14Huddersfield GiantsHOdsal StadiumW48–20Vaikona (3), Sykes (2), Boyle, Deacon, McDermott, PeacockH.Paul 6/911,565
 16 June 2000Super League V15Castleford TigersAThe JungleW39–10Anderson (2), Deacon, Lowes, Naylor, R.PaulH.Paul 7/7, Boyle 1 DG–
 25 June 2000Super League V16Salford City RedsHOdsal StadiumW96–16R.Paul (4), Peacock (3), Brooker (2), Deacon, Mackay, McDermott, Naylor, Parker, H.Paul, Radford, WilkinsonH.Paul 14/1711,596
 30 June 2000Super League V17Wigan WarriorsHOdsal StadiumL18–30Brooker, Deacon, MackayH.Paul 3/318,815
 9 July 2000Super League V18London BroncosAThe ValleyW24–16R.Paul, H.Paul, Peacock, VaikonaH.Paul 4/44,063
 14 July 2000Super League V19Hull F.C.HOdsal StadiumW56–6Fielden (2), McAvoy (2), Spruce (2), Naylor, R.Paul, Peacock, PryceH.Paul 8/1010,778
 23 July 2000Super League V20Wakefield Trinity WildcatsABelle VueW30–20Spruce (2), Fielden, Naylor, PryceH.Paul 5/56,531
 30 July 2000Super League V21Leeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumL26–28R.Paul (2), Lowes, NaylorH.Paul 1/1, Deacon 4/421,237
 6 August 2000Super League V22Halifax Blue SoxAThe ShayD20–20Naylor (2)H.Paul 6/67,106
 11 August 2000Super League V23Castleford TigersHOdsal StadiumW28–8Deacon, Mackay, Spruce, Vaikona, WithersH.Paul 4/511,302
 18 August 2000Super League V24Huddersfield GiantsHOdsal StadiumW52–20McDermott (2), H.Paul (2), Deacon, Peacock, Spruce, Vaikona, WithersH.Paul 8/910,164
 27 August 2000Super League V25Wigan WarriorsAJJB StadiumL19–20Lowes, Naylor, PryceH.Paul 3/3, Deacon 1 DG17,737
 3 September 2000Super League V26Halifax Blue SoxAThe ShayW25–18Deacon, Lowes, H.Paul, WithersH.Paul 4/4, Deacon 1 DG8,244
 8 September 2000Super League V27Leeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumW14–12Smith, VaikonaH.Paul 3/319,623
 17 September 2000Super League V28Hull F.C.AThe BoulevardL12–25McAvoy, StanleyDeacon 2/26,160

Challenge Cup

LEGEND
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DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
 12 February 2000Cup4thHuddersfield GiantsHOdsal StadiumW32–4Pryce (2), McAvoy, Naylor, WithersH.Paul 6/66,467
 27 February 2000Cup5thWakefield Trinity WildcatsABelle VueW46–0Withers (3), McAvoy (2), Anderson, Mackay, Naylor, SmithH.Paul 5/98,005
 12 March 2000CupQFHalifax Blue SoxAThe ShayW28–18Fielden, Forshaw, R.Paul, WithersH.Paul 6/69,827
 25 March 2000CupSFWarrington WolvesNHeadingley StadiumW44–20Brooker, Naylor, H.Paul, R.Paul, Peacock, Spruce, WithersH.Paul 8/811,894
 29 April 2000CupFinalLeeds RhinosNMurrayfield StadiumW24–18Withers (2), Fielden, McAvoyH.Paul 4/467,247

Playoffs

LEGEND
 width=100Win
 width=100Draw
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DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
 22 September 2000Play-offsQPOSt. HelensAKnowsley RoadL11–16Peacock, PryceH.Paul 1/2, H.Paul 1 DG8,864
 30 September 2000Play-offsESFLeeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumW46–12Pryce (3), Anderson, Boyle, Fielden, H.Paul, R.PaulH.Paul 6/7, Deacon 1/115,077
 7 October 2000Play-offsSFWigan WarriorsAJJB StadiumL12–40Anderson, NaylorH.Paul 2/214,620

2000 squad statistics

width=3%Nowidth=47%Playerwidth=15%PositionTriesGoalsDGPoints
1Robbie PaulFullbackalign=centre19align=centre0align=centre0align=centre76
2Tevita VaikonaWingalign=centre8align=centre0align=centre0align=centre32
3Leon PryceCentrealign=centre12align=centre0align=centre0align=centre48
4Nathan McAvoyCentrealign=centre14align=centre0align=centre0align=centre56
5Michael WithersWingalign=centre15align=centre0align=centre0align=centre60
6Henry PaulStand Offalign=centre11align=centre179align=centre2align=centre404
7Paul DeaconScrum-halfalign=centre9align=centre23align=centre3align=centre85
8Neil HarmonPropalign=centre0align=centre0align=centre0align=centre0
9James LowesHookeralign=centre12align=centre0align=centre1align=centre49
10Paul AndersonPropalign=centre11align=centre0align=centre0align=centre44
11David BoyleSecond Rowalign=centre5align=centre0align=centre1align=centre21
12Mike ForshawSecond Rowalign=centre3align=centre0align=centre0align=centre12
13Brad MackayLoose forwardalign=centre9align=centre0align=centre0align=centre36
14Justin BrookerCentrealign=centre12align=centre0align=centre0align=centre48
15Hudson SmithSecond Rowalign=centre3align=centre0align=centre0align=centre12
16Alex WilkinsonWingalign=centre1align=centre0align=centre0align=centre4
17Chris BirchallSecond Rowalign=centre0align=centre0align=centre0align=centre0
18Lee RadfordPropalign=centre1align=centre0align=centre0align=centre4
19Jamie PeacockSecond Rowalign=centre9align=centre0align=centre0align=centre36
20Scott NaylorCentrealign=centre18align=centre0align=centre0align=centre72
22Brian McDermottPropalign=centre5align=centre0align=centre0align=centre20
23Bernard DwyerSecond Rowalign=centre0align=centre0align=centre0align=centre0
24Gareth StanleyHookeralign=centre1align=centre0align=centre0align=centre4
25Craig McDowellSecond Rowalign=centre0align=centre0align=centre0align=centre0
26Paul SykesCentrealign=centre2align=centre0align=centre0align=centre8
28Stuart SpruceFullbackalign=centre17align=centre0align=centre0align=centre68
29Stuart FieldenPropalign=centre11align=centre0align=centre0align=centre44

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