1999 Bradford Bulls season

This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 1999 season, the 4th season of the Super League era.

1999 Bradford Bulls season
Super League IV Rank1st
Play-off resultRunners Up
Challenge CupSemi Final
1999 recordWins: 29; Draws: 1; Losses: 6
Points scoredFor: 1123; Against: 544
Team information
ChairmanChris Caisley
Head CoachMatthew Elliot
Captain
StadiumOdsal Stadium
Avg. Attend.12,912
High. Attend.24,020 vs. Leeds Rhinos
Top scorers
TriesMichael Withers (21)
GoalsSteve McNamara (98)
PointsSteve McNamara (221)
< 1998 List of seasons 2000 >

Season review

February 1999

The Bulls kicked off their 1999 season with a huge bang as they thrashed Workington Town 92–0 in the Challenge Cup. They progressed through to the quarter-finals by defeating Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 26–8.

March 1999

Bradford won their first Super League game of the year 18–6 against Sheffield Eagles. The Bulls progressed to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup by beating Warrington Wolves 52–16. Bradford's winning streak continued with an 8–3 win over Hull Sharks. Bradford's first loss of the season came in the Challenge Cup semi-final as they were beaten 23–10 by arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos.

April 1999

The Bulls didn't have to wait long to avenge the semi-final loss, the very next week Bradford beat Leeds 18–14 in front of a 16,000 plus crowd at Odsal which meant the Bulls retained 2nd place in the table. After the high of beating Leeds the Bulls came crashing back down to earth after suffering a 58–14 loss to St. Helens. However they soon got their season back on track with a 26–16 win against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at home, they followed this win with another victory, this time a 22–14 win away at Warrington Wolves. Bradford finished the month with a 20–2 win against fellow Yorkshire team Halifax Blue Sox.

May 1999

Bradford kicked May off with an 18–18 draw against Castleford Tigers which was the Bulls first draw in the Super League history. The following week Bradford hammered Salford City Reds with a 46–6 victory, soon after the Bulls beat Gateshead Thunder 22–12 at the Thunderdome. In one of the Bulls best performances of the year they beat Wigan Warriors 19–2, keeping the Super League champions try less. Bradford's dominance throughout May ended with a 22–20 win against Huddersfield Giants.

June 1999

Bradford kicked off June with an outstanding 52–2 win against Sheffield Eagles. The Bulls great run of form continued with an astonishing 74–12 win against London Broncos at Odsal Stadium, however they were soon brought to a low as they crashed to a 45–16 loss against arch rivals Leeds Rhinos. They didn't let this heavy defeat get them down as they took St. Helens apart the following week and won 46–22 ensuring that they stayed at the top of the league.

July 1999

The Bulls beat Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 36–8 in the first game in July, this win kept them at the top of the table. They followed this win with a clinical performance against Huddersfield Giants and came out 26–0 winners. Bradford's good run of results continued with an outstanding 56–6 win against Warrington Wolves. They travelled to Halifax and beat them 34–20 in a tough match to make sure their status as league leaders was intact, this continued with a 24–22 win against Castleford Tigers. The next match saw the Bulls beat London Broncos 19–16 in a hard fought game at Welford Road.

August 1999

Bradford started off August with a comprehensive 58–20 win over Salford City Reds. Gateshead Thunder was the next to lose in the Bulls run of impressive victories as Bradford beat them 30–14. Bradford's long run of successive wins was brought to and end as Wigan Warriors beat the Bulls 14–0 which makes it the first time in the Super League history that the Bulls have been scoreless in a game. However they bounced back a week later to thrash Sheffield Eagles 52–4. Bradford then beat Hull Sharks 44–12 to ensure that they stayed at the top of the league and would be Super League minor premiers for the 1999 season.

September 1999

Bradford beat their arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos 19–18 with a last minute drop goal from Michael Withers in front of a 24,020 crowd at Odsal Stadium. The Bulls finished off the regular season with a 25–16 loss to St. Helens however Bradford were awarded the League Leader's Shield for finishing top of the league. Bradford once again faced St. Helens but this time in the Qualifying Semi-final, Bradford beat the Saints 40–4 with Henry Paul pulling the strings and contributing by scoring 2 tries. However Saints were to get their revenge as they beat Bradford 8–6 in a hard fought Grand Final with Henry Paul scoring all 6 of Bradford's points.

1999 milestones
  • CCR4: Nathan McAvoy scored his 1st four-try haul and 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • CCR4: Michael Withers scored his 1st try, 1st four-try haul and 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • CCR4: Nick Zisti and Stuart Fielden scored their 1st tries for the Bulls.
  • CCR5: Henry Paul scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 1: Henry Paul kicked his 1st goal for the Bulls.
  • CCQF: Tevita Vaikona scored his 1st four-try haul and 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • CCQF: David Boyle and Scott Naylor scored their 1st tries for the Bulls.
  • Round 5: Steve McNamara kicked his 300th goal for the Bulls.
  • Round 9: Leon Pryce scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 11: Robbie Paul scored his 50th try and reaches 200 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 11: Paul Deacon kicked his 1st drop-goal for the Bulls.
  • Round 13: Jamie Peacock scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 13: Steve McNamara reached 700 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 14: Paul Deacon reached 100 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 14: Mike Forshaw scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 15: Nathan McAvoy scored his 2nd four-try haul and 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 18: James Lowes reached 200 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 18: Phil Howlett scored his 1st try for the Bulls.
  • Round 20: Brian McDermott scored his 1st hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 20: James Lowes scored his 50th try for the Bulls.
  • Round 24: Steve McNamara reached 800 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 27: Brian McDermott scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 28: Michael Withers scored his 2nd four-try haul and 2nd hat-trick for the Bulls.
  • Round 29: Tevita Vaikona scored his 25th try and reached 100 points for the Bulls.
  • Round 29: Michael Withers kicked his 1st drop-goal for the Bulls.
  • Qualifying Semi-final: Henry Paul reached 100 points for the Bulls.

Table
Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts
1 Bradford Bulls 302514897445+45251
2 St. Helens 3023071034561+47346
3 Leeds Rhinos 302217910558+35245
4 Wigan Warriors 302118877390+48743
5 Castleford Tigers 301938712451+26141
6 Gateshead Thunder 3019110775576+19939
7 Warrington Wolves 3015114700717−1731
8London Broncos 3013215644708−6428
9 Halifax Blue Sox 3011019573792−21922
10 Sheffield Eagles 3010119518818−30021
11 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 3010020608795−18720
12 Salford City Reds 306123526916−39013
13 Hull Sharks 305025422921−49910
14 Huddersfield Giants 3050254631011−54810
Play-offs

1999 fixtures and results
LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss

1999 JJB Sports Super League

DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
7 March 1999Super League IV1Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW18–6Lowes, McAvoy, WithersH.Paul 3/312,044
21 March 1999Super League IV2Hull SharksAThe BoulevardW8–3McAvoyMcNamara 2/26,577
1 April 1999Super League IV3Leeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumW18–14Forshaw, H.Paul, R.PaulMcNamara 1/1, H.Paul 2/216,049
5 April 1999Super League IV4St. HelensAKnowsley RoadL14–58Dwyer, HarmonDeacon 3/315,042
11 April 1999Super League IV5Wakefield Trinity WildcatsHOdsal StadiumW26–16Boyle, Lowes, Naylor, D.PeacockMcNamara 5/511,802
18 April 1999Super League IV6Warrington WolvesAWilderspool StadiumW22–14Boyle, Naylor, Spruce, WithersH.Paul 3/47,591
23 April 1999Super League IV7Halifax Blue SoxHOdsal StadiumW20–2Fielden, McAvoy, Vaikona, WithersMcNamara 2/411,103
3 May 1999Super League IV8Castleford TigersAThe JungleD18–18McNamara, R.PaulMcNamara 5/510,122
9 May 1999Super League IV9Salford City RedsHOdsal StadiumW46–6Spruce (2), Jowitt, McAvoy, McDermott, McNamara, R.Paul, PryceMcNamara 4/5, Deacon 3/311,863
16 May 1999Super League IV10Gateshead ThunderAThunderdomeW22–12Jowitt, H.Paul, PryceMcNamara 1/1, Deacon 2/2, H.Paul 2/26,631
22 May 1999Super League IV11Wigan WarriorsHOdsal StadiumW19–2R.Paul, WithersMcNamara 1/1, Deacon 4/4, Deacon 1 DG13,476
30 May 1999Super League IV12Huddersfield GiantsHOdsal StadiumW22–20Fielden, Lowes, Pryce, SpruceDeacon 3/411,032
5 June 1999Super League IV13Sheffield EaglesASaltergateW52–2Spruce (2), Boyle, Lowes, McAvoy, McDermott, R.Paul, J.Peacock, PryceDeacon 3/3, H.Paul 3/3, McNamara 2/34,801
9 June 1999Super League IV14London BroncosHOdsal StadiumW74–12Forshaw (3), J.Peacock (2), Spruce (2), Deacon, Fielden, McAvoy, Naylor, R.Paul, WithersDeacon 6/7, H.Paul 5/69,575
13 June 1999Super League IV15Hull SharksHOdsal StadiumW42–14McAvoy (4), R.Paul (2), FieldenMcNamara 5/5, Deacon 2/311,757
18 June 1999Super League IV16Leeds RhinosAHeadingley StadiumL16–45H.Paul (2), BoyleMcNamara 1/2, H.Paul 1/121,666
25 June 1999Super League IV17St. HelensHOdsal StadiumW46–22Lowes (2), Pryce (2), Forshaw, McAvoy, Naylor, H.Paul, SpruceDeacon 3/5, McNamara 2/415,107
2 July 1999Super League IV18Wakefield Trinity WildcatsABelle VueW36–8Lowes (2), Boyle, Donougher, Howlett, J.PeacockMcNamara 5/5, Deacon 1/14,685
7 July 1999Super League IV19Huddersfield GiantsAMcAlpine StadiumW26–0Lowes, McNamara, Naylor, WithersMcNamara 5/56,581
11 July 1999Super League IV20Warrington WolvesHOdsal StadiumW56–6McDermott (3), Jowitt (2), Anderson, Lowes, Pryce, SpruceMcNamara 10/1013,063
18 July 1999Super League IV21Halifax Blue SoxAThe ShayW34–20Lowes (2), Vaikona (2), Fielden, SpruceMcNamara 5/69,342
25 July 1999Super League IV22Castleford TigersHOdsal StadiumW24–22Lowes, McAvoy, H.Paul, SpruceMcNamara 4/413,824
28 July 1999Super League IV23London BroncosAWelford RoadW19–16Boyle, McAvoy, WithersMcNamara 3/3, McNamara 1 DG8,233
1 August 1999Super League IV24Salford City RedsAThe WillowsW58–20J.Peacock (2), Spruce (2), Withers (2), Boyle, Howlett, McAvoy, McNamara, H.PaulMcNamara 6/9, Deacon 1/26,680
8 August 1999Super League IV25Gateshead ThunderHOdsal StadiumW30–14Boyle (2), Pryce (2), Lowes, WithersH.Paul 2/3, McNamara 1/312,492
13 August 1999Super League IV26Wigan WarriorsAJJB StadiumL0–14––10,734
22 August 1999Super League IV27Sheffield EaglesHOdsal StadiumW52–4Vaikona (2), Anderson, Donougher, Forshaw, McDermott, Naylor, H.Paul, WithersMcNamara 8/911,029
29 August 1999Super League IV28Hull SharksAThe BoulevardW44–12Withers (4), Pryce (2), Boyle, VaikonaMcNamara 6/85,036
3 September 1999Super League IV29Leeds RhinosHOdsal StadiumW19–18McAvoy, Pryce, VaikonaMcNamara 3/3, Withers 1 DG24,020
10 September 1999Super League IV30St. HelensAKnowsley RoadL16–25Fielden, McNamara, R.PaulMcNamara 2/38,490

Challenge Cup
LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
14 February 1999Cup4thWorkington TownHOdsal StadiumW92–0McAvoy (4), Withers (4), Lowes (2), Zisti (2), Deacon, Fielden, McDermott, R.Paul, VaikonaDeacon 12/177,593
28 February 1999Cup5thWakefield Trinity WildcatsABelle Vue StadiumW26–8Fielden, Lowes, McNamara, H.PaulDeacon 3/3, McNamara 2/27,385
14 March 1999CupQFWarrington WolvesHOdsal StadiumW52–16Vaikona (4), Boyle, Forshaw, Naylor, R.Paul, Spruce, WithersH.Paul 6/1010,430
28 March 1999CupSFLeeds RhinosNMcAlpine StadiumL10–23Boyle, LowesH.Paul 1/223,438

Playoffs
LEGEND
  Win
  Draw
  Loss
DateCompetitionRndVrsH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAtt
26 September 1999Play-offsQSFSt. HelensHOdsal StadiumW40–4H.Paul (2), Fielden, Naylor, Vaikona, WithersMcNamara 7/7, Deacon 1/116,162
9 October 1999Play-offsGFSt. HelensNOld TraffordL6–8H.PaulH.Paul 1/150,717

1999 squad statistics
Further information: Bradford Bulls
  • Appearances and Points include (Super League, Challenge Cup and Play-offs) as of 2012.
No Player Position Tries Goals DG Points
1 Robbie Paul Fullback 11 0 0 44
2 Tevita Vaikona Wing 13 0 0 52
3 Danny Peacock Centre 1 0 0 4
4 Nathan McAvoy Centre 19 0 0 76
5 Michael Withers Wing 21 0 1 85
6 Henry Paul Stand Off 12 29 0 106
7 Paul Deacon Scrum-half 2 47 1 103
8 Neil Harmon Prop 1 0 0 4
9 James Lowes Hooker 18 0 0 72
10 Paul Anderson Prop 2 0 0 8
11 Jeremy Donougher Second Row 2 0 0 8
12 Mike Forshaw Second Row 7 0 0 28
13 Steve McNamara Loose forward 6 98 1 221
14 Nick Zisti Wing 2 0 0 8
15 David Boyle Second Row 12 0 0 48
16 Warren Jowitt Prop 4 0 0 16
17 Leon Pryce Wing 12 0 0 48
18 Lee Radford Wing 0 0 0 0
19 Jamie Peacock Second Row 6 0 0 24
20 Scott Naylor Centre 8 0 0 32
22 Brian McDermott Prop 7 0 0 28
23 Bernard Dwyer Second Row 1 0 0 4
25 Phil Howlett Wing 2 0 0 8
26 Paul Sykes Centre 0 0 0 0
28 Stuart Spruce Fullback 15 0 0 60
29 Stuart Fielden Prop 9 0 0 36

References
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