2002 Super League Grand Final

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.

2002 (2002) Super League Grand Final
St. Helens Bradford Bulls 19 18
1 2 Total ST H 12 7 19 BRA 8 10 18
Date	19 October 2002
Stadium	Old Trafford
Location	Manchester
Harry Sunderland Trophy	Paul Deacon, ( Bradford Bulls)
Referee	Russell Smith
Attendance	61,138
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	Sky Sports
Commentators	Eddie Hemmings Mike Stephenson
Super League Grand Final ← 2001 2003 →

Background

Main article: Super League VII

	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	+391	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	Michael Withers	Fullback	1	Paul Wellens
2	Tevita Vaikona	Wing	2	Darren Albert
3	Scott Naylor	Centre	3	Martin Gleeson
4	Brandon Costin	Centre	4	Paul Newlove
5	Lesley Vainikolo	Wing	5	Anthony Stewart
6	Robbie Paul	Stad Off	6	Paul Sculthorpe
7	Paul Deacon	Scrum half	7	Sean Long
	Joe Vagana	Prop		Darren Britt
9	James Lowes	Fullback	9	Keiron Cunningham
10	Stuart Fielden	Prop		Barry Ward
	Daniel Gartner	Second Row		Mike Bennett
11	Jamie Peacock	Second Row		Tim Jonkers
	Mike Forshaw	Loose forward	13	Chris Joynt
	Leon Pryce	Interchange		Sean Hoppe
	Lee Gilmour			Mickey Higham
	Paul Anderson			John Stankevitch
	Brian McDermott			Peter Shiels
	Brian Noble	Coaches		Ian Millward