2002 Super League Grand Final

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2002 (2002) Super League Grand Final  ()
12 Total
ST H 127 19
BRA 810 18
Date19 October 2002
StadiumOld Trafford
LocationEngland Manchester
Harry Sunderland TrophyEngland Paul Deacon, ( Bradford Bulls)
RefereeRussell Smith
Attendance61,138
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters
Commentators
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The 2002 Super League Grand Final was the Fifth official Grand Final and conclusive and championship-deciding game of Super League VII. Held on Saturday 19 October 2002 at Old Trafford, Manchester, the game was played between St. Helens and Bradford Bulls. Refereed by Russell Smith, the match was seen by a crowd of 61,138 and was won by St Helens 19 - 18.

Background

Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 St Helens 28 23 0 5 927 522 +405 46
2 Bradford Bulls 28 23 0 5 910 519 +319 46

Route to the Final

St Helens

St Helens, by finishing top of the table automatically qualified for the play-off semi-final where they were drawn at home to Bradford. A surprising loss saw Saints have to go the long route to the grand final by playing bitter rivals Wigan Warriors in the elimination semi-final; a match they won 24–8 to set up another game against Bradford.

St Helens
Round Opposition Score
Semi Final Bradford Bulls (H) 26–28
Elimination Semi-Final Wigan Warriors (H) 24–8
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Bradford Bulls

Bradford as the team finishing second in the season also qualified for the play-off semi-final where they had to travel to St Helens. A close fought game saw Bradford win 28–26 to go straight through to the grand final.

Match Details

19 October 2002
Bradford Bulls 18 - 19 St Helens
Tries: Scott Naylor
Robbie Paul
Michael Withers
Goals: Paul Deacon (3)
Report
Tries: Mike Bennett
Sean Long
Martin Gleeson
Goals: Sean Long (3)
Drop Goals: Sean Long
Old Trafford, Manchester
Attendance: 61,138
Referee: Russell Smith
Bradford Bulls Position St Helens
1 Republic of Ireland Michael Withers Fullback 1 England Paul Wellens
2 Tonga Tevita Vaikona Wing 2 Australia Darren Albert
3 England Scott Naylor Centre 3 England Martin Gleeson
4 Australia Brandon Costin Centre 4 England Paul Newlove
5 Tonga Lesley Vainikolo Wing 5 England Anthony Stewart
6 New Zealand Robbie Paul Stad Off 6 England Paul Sculthorpe
7 England Paul Deacon Scrum half 7 England Sean Long
New Zealand Joe Vagana Prop Australia Darren Britt
9 England James Lowes Fullback 9 England Keiron Cunningham
10 England Stuart Fielden Prop Australia Barry Ward
Australia Daniel Gartner Second Row England Mike Bennett
11 England Jamie Peacock Second Row Netherlands Tim Jonkers
England Mike Forshaw Loose forward 13 England Chris Joynt
England Leon Pryce Interchange New Zealand Sean Hoppe
England Lee Gilmour England Mickey Higham
England Paul Anderson England John Stankevitch
England Brian McDermott Australia Peter Shiels
England Brian Noble Coaches Australia Ian Millward

References