Raging Bulls stun Warriors
Bradford came from 20-0 down at half time to end Wigan's perfect record with a remarkable 22-20 win at the Grattan Odsal Stadium.
Last Updated: 05/03/10 11:06pm
Wigan's perfect start to the 2010 season came to a stunning end at Bradford as they let slip a 20-0 lead to lose 22-20 at the Grattan Odsal Stadium.
The Warriors looked to be cruising towards a fifth successive triumph when they scored four tries without reply in a one-sided opening half.
Yet the Bulls, seemingly down and out at the break, somehow managed to climb off the canvas to produce an amazing turnaround.
Matt Orford crossed twice and then held his nerve at the death to convert a try from another former Manly Sea Eagle, Glenn Hall, in the final two minutes.
Floodlight failure
The grandstand finish may never have happened had a floodlight failure before the kick-off not been fixed. After being outplayed for 40 minutes, Bradford may well have been cursing the electrician who had done the repairs.
Wigan's men in black were simply on a different planet during the opening half from the moment winger Darrell Goulding broke the deadlock four minutes in.
A now trademark Sam Tomkins side-step set up Harrison Hansen to score a second try after stand-in full-back Amos Roberts had set up excellent field position with a mazy kick return from deep inside his own territory.
Not even the loss of centre George Carmont to a knee injury could halt Wigan's momentum, only a forward pass denying Pat Richards a score.
The third try was not long in coming though, Sam Tomkins getting his first of the campaign from Sean O'Loughlin's offload, and a fourth quickly followed.
Having missed out earlier on, Richards - fresh off a five-try effort in the home demolition of Les Catalans - brushed off the challenge of opposing winger Jason Crookes to stretch out and ground the ball over the line on the left.
With two conversions successful, the Warriors were sitting pretty with a 20-point cushion to defend, even with a strong wind in their faces.
However it still proved not to be enough, as Bradford came out eager to right the wrongs following some harsh words from coach Steve McNamara.
Two-try burst
The comeback began with two tries in as many minutes, stand-off Brett Kearney finishing off Wayne Godwin's pass for the first before his half-back partner Orford did it all by himself for the second, darting underneath two tacklers to dive over on the last.
Wigan boss Michael Maguire threw on former Bull Paul Deacon, who received a warm welcome from the home fans who used to cheer him, to try and stem the tide, though it was to little avail.
A dummy created space for Orford to get his second and Hall landed the knockout blow by touching down in the 78th minute. Despite a shaky night with the boot, Orford couldn't fail with the extras from bang in front of the posts.
Suddenly behind, the Cherry and Whites simply had no time left to respond, meaning the last perfect record in Super League was blown away.
