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Bradford clinch Super League crown

15/10/2005

Bradford Bulls have been crowned Super League champions with a 15-6 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final. .

Tries from man-of-the-match Leon Pryce and Lesley Vainikolo ensured that the Bulls gained revenge for last season's Grand Final defeat at the hands of the Rhinos.

Leeds took the initiative early on and scored the first try of the game when Danny McGuire latched onto a grubber kick by Andrew Dunemann to cross the line in the 21st minute.

However, Paul Deacon levelled the scores with a penalty, before Pryce stormed through the Rhinos rearguard to score, giving the Bulls a narrow 8-6 lead at half time.

The Bulls took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half, with Vainikolo's try in the 52th minute converted by Deacon to increase their lead.

Iestyn Harris secured the win with a drop goal eight minutes from time, with the Rhinos unable to find a way past the determined Bulls.

Bradford captain Jamie Peacock, playing his last game for the Bulls before moving to the Rhinos next season, was delighted at the final whistle.

"You couldn't ask for a better way to go out than winning the trophy for Bradford," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

Bradford have become the first team ever to win the Grand Final after finishing the regular Super League season in third place.

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