Warriors' rally stuns Bulls

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By Ben Sullivan   Last updated: 22nd September 2007

Warriors' rally stuns Bulls

Calderwood: Three tries

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Wigan produced the biggest comeback in Super League history to overturn a 24-point second-half deficit and beat Bradford 31-30 in the first round of the play-offs.

The Warriors scored 24 unanswered points in 17 second-half minutes with winger Mark Calderwood crossing for three tries.

It was an incredible turnaround after the Bulls had completely dominated the first 55 minutes at Odsal, running up a 30-6 lead.

But somehow Wigan hauled themselves back into the game and won it with a late Pat Richards drop-goal.

Dream start

David Solomona gave the Bulls a dream start after three minutes, taking a superb offload from Andy Lynch and brushing off Calderwood to score.

Wigan survived for the next 20 minutes before Calderwood dropped a high bomb inside his own 20, then dropped another kick in the corner, allowing Tame Tupou to score his 10th try in 12 games.

Wigan got back into the game briefly with Thomas Leuluai's try from David Vaealiki's break, but from then on it was one-way traffic to the end of the half.

First Solomona crashed over from close range and then the second-rower completed his hat-trick, running on to Iestyn Harris' pass.

It continued after the break with Iestyn Harris scoring from Glenn Morrison's break and adding a couple of kicks to stretch the lead to 30-6.

Bulls coach Steve McNamara may have had an eye on next week as he pulled off three key players including Solomona, but to be fair the game looked over.

Cue the comeback.

First Calderwood trotted in from long range as the Bradford defensive line broke down and just past the hour mark the winger collected Barrett's brilliant long pass to score in the corner.

Glimmer

Crucially, Richards landed both conversions from the touchline and at 30-18 behind, Wigan had a glimmer of hope.

That became brighter three minutes later when Marcus St Hilaire dropped a high bomb and Harrison Hansen scored.

Bradford were reeling now but it was a dreadful error deep in the Wigan half which got Wigan back on terms.

The Bulls were pressing for the score that would surely have sealed the game when Shontayne Hape went for a risky blind pass and popped the ball into the hands of the alert Calderwood. The flier was never going to be caught and Richards' boot levelled the scores.

The incredible comeback was complete when Nathan McAvoy knocked on just 25 metres from his line and after a drive to beneath the sticks, Richards popped over a cool drop-goal.

Bradford had four minutes to respond but after such heroics, it was fitting that the Wigan defence held firm.

The Warriors' reward is a trip to Hull or Huddersfield next week. After this, they will believe they can beat anyone, anywhere.

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