How revenge was sweet as FC halted Bulls’ Grand Final charge
Hull FC weren’t just embarrassed by Bradford Bulls in 2005, they were crushed. Lesley Vainikolo scored four of Bradford’s 12 tries as the Bulls racked up 71 points in the play-off clash at Odsal.
It was a result that saw John Kear’s Challenge Cup winners humbled as their hopes of reaching a first Grand Final came to a bitter end.
They didn’t help themselves with the dismissal of Stephen Kearney early doors for a high shot, but FC were taught a valuable lesson in West Yorkshire that evening and it stung for a long time.
Memories of that game will have haunted the Black and Whites a year later when the two sides were pitched against each other for a spot in the Grand Final.
The 2006 campaign had been a remarkable one at the KCOM Stadium. Under the stewardship of Peter Sharp FC won 13 straight games to catapult themselves into Grand Final contention.
At times there was simply no stopping them as they bounced back from their Odsal disappointment the previous season in extraordinary fashion, but their winning run led them to the same play-off opponents.
This time, though, FC were a different side. With the Challenge Cup in the bag Hull could be accused of taking their foot off the gas through the remainder of the 2005 campaign, but in 2006 they were still on the hunt for silverware.
As such, while the team was relatively similar, albeit with the additions of Lee Radford and Sid Domic, the attitude was completely different as they dished out a rather large helping of revenge.
Bradford travelled to the KCOM in high spirits after seeing off Salford and Warrington in the previous two rounds but in front of 16,000 fans Hull would not be denied as they made the night one to remember, winning 19-12.
Steve Mcnamara’s side didn’t know what had hit them when
Richard Horne raced clear to touch down within 46 seconds to give Hull an early advantage.
They gathered themselves and had Hull on the back foot for large stretches of the first half as Vainikolo and Marcus Bai saw efforts ruled out for earlier infringements.
Hull made them pay, too as they notched a second try before the break. This time Horne was the provider, picking out Motu Tony with a measured kick and the New Zealand international scored in the corner.
Paul Cooke had Hull fans giddy at half-time by slotting a drop goal to give them a comfortable lead at the break.
Brett Ferres got Bradford back into the game with a try at the start of half-time, but Horne, Cooke and
Shaun Briscoe combined to see Kirk Yeaman over in the corner with 24 minutes remaining.
Jamie Langley touched down with a few minutes remaining, but nothing was going to deny the Black and Whites at that stage as they powered home to secure their first ever Super League Grand Final berth.
“I’m a bit lost for words to be honest,” Sharp said after the game. “I’m just overwhelmed. They were outstanding, every one of them.
“They deserve this win and they deserve to be playing at Old Trafford for all the hard work, effort and commitment they have put in.
“This is a great moment for the club, players and especially the fans who have supported us so magnificently all season and were once again tremendous.
“It’s a night I won’t forget in a long time. I almost lost my voice.”
The Hull FC side that day: Shaun Briscoe, Motu Tony, Sid Domic, Kirk Yeaman, Gareth Raynor, Paul Cooke, Richard Horne, Ewan Dowes, Richard Swain, Garreth Carvell, Lee Radford, Shayne Mcmenemy, Danny Washbrook.
Bench: Paul King, Scott Wheeldon, Chris Chester, Graeme Horne.