2007 Bradford Bulls Season - May

May

Bradford faced Leeds Rhinos, on 6 May 2007, cloud of controversy overshadowed an otherwise outstanding weekend at the Millennium Stadium as Leeds snatched a dramatic last-second win over the Bradford Bulls in the most bizarre of circumstances, as the Millennium Magic weekend ended with a 42-38 win for the Rhinos. Kevin Sinfield's attempt to kick a match-tying penalty in the dying seconds, re-bounded off the upright and Jordan Tansey was on hand to score the match-winner. But the Leeds player appeared to be in an offside position when the kick was taken, in any case the penalty should not have been given for an offside decision moments before, two refereeing errors that brought an otherwise magnificent contest to an unfortunate conclusion. The fact that Match Referee, Steve Ganson, had gone to the Video Referee eight times previously in the match and chose not to on the game's decisive play can only go down as an error in judgement. The controversy aside, the match was a try-fest to the delight of the Millennium Magic crowd, with the Rhinos out-scoring their fierce local rivals seven tries to six after being behind throughout the second half. After the Match Steve Ganson admitted having made mistakes, which lead to a call from Bradford Bulls Chairman Peter Hood for the points to be awarded to Bradford Bulls. In May 2007 one of the greatest wingers to play for the Bulls Lesley Vainikolo joined Gloucester RFC, Bulls signed 24-year-old Tame Tupou from 2006 NRL champions Brisbane Broncos as Les's replacement. Bradford Bulls played Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Carnegie Challenge Cup 5th Round, Lesley Vainikolo put in a Man of the Match performance and scored two crucial tries to edge the Bulls into the Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought 14 points to 4 victory against a dogged Wakefield Trinity Wildcats side. Bradford played Huddersfield next, Huddersfield Giants grabbed a first ever Super League victory over Bradford Bulls in some style, with a dominant 36-12 victory at the Galpharm Stadium on Friday night. The Bulls headed to Huddersfield on the back of 27 successive league victories over their opponents, who had not got the better of their more illustrious rivals since 1972. If ever the hosts had a chance though it was on Friday, with Huddersfield going into the match on the back of eight straight victories, while they welcomed a Bradford side missing seven regulars through injury and suspension. Last game on May was against Harlequins RL. Lesley Vainikolo’s hat-trick helped Bradford Bulls complete the double over Harlequins RL and keep the pressure on Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at the top of the engage Super League table with a 44 points to 18 victory at the Grattan Stadium, Odsal.