2001 Super League Grand Final

The 2001 Super League Grand Final was the Fourth official Grand Final and the conclusive and championship-deciding match of Super League VI. The match was held on Saturday 13 October 2001 at Old Trafford, Manchester, and was contested by Bradford Bulls and Wigan Warriors. Refereed by Stuart Cummings, 60,164 saw Bradford Bulls win 37 - 6.

2001 (2001) Super League Grand Final
Bradford Bulls Wigan Warriors 37 6
1 2 Total BRA 26 11 37 WIG 0 6 6
Date	13 October 2001
Stadium	Old Trafford
Location	Manchester
Harry Sunderland Trophy	Michael Withers, ( Bradford Bulls)
Referee	Stuart Cummings
Attendance	60,164
Broadcast partners
Broadcasters	Sky Sports
Commentators	Eddie Hemmings Mike Stephenson
Super League Grand Final ← 2000 2002 →

Background

Main article: Super League VI

Tetleys Super League VI was the fourth and final time the top five playoff system would be used and the first season relegation was reintroduced with Huddersfield Giants again finishing bottom and relegated. Bradford Bulls finished top for a third time.

	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Bradford Bulls	28	22	1	5	1120	474	+646	45
2	Wigan Warriors	28	22	1	5	989	494	+495	45

Route to the Final

Bradford Bulls

Bradford finished first in the table so they automatically qualified for the play-off semi-finals where they had a home time against Wigan at Odsal Stadium. Bradford won 24–18 to qualify for the Grand Final.

Wigan Warriors

Wigan vs St Helens in the preliminary final

The play-off system in use only gave the league leaders a bye to the semi-finals. Wigan had finished second so had to play a qualifying play-off first. Drawn at home to Hull F.C. Wigan won a close game 27–24 to go through to the semi-final. This was an away fixture to Bradford where they were beaten 24–18. However this loss did not end their season. The losers of the qualifying semi-final got another chance by playing the winners of the other semi-final in a final eliminator. Therefore, Wigan's third play-off game was a home tie against St Helens where they won through 44–10.

Wigan

Round	Opposition	Score
Qualifying Semi-Final	Hull FC (H)	27-24
Semi-Final	Bradford Bulls (A)	24-18
Preliminary Final	St Helens (H)	44-10
Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue.

Match details

Bradford Bulls	37 - 6	Wigan Warriors
Tries: James Lowes, Michael Withers (3), Stuart Fielden, Graham Mackay Goals: Henry Paul (5), Graham Mackay Drop Goals: Henry Paul	Report	Tries: Adrian Lam Goals: David Furner

13 October 2001

Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 60,164 Referee: Stuart Cummings

Bradford Bulls		Position	Wigan Warriors
1	Michael Withers	Fullback	1	Kris Radlinski
	Tevita Vaikona	Winger	2	Brett Dallas
	Scott Naylor	Centre	3	Gary Connolly
	Graham Mackay	Centre		Steve Renouf
5	Leon Pryce	Winger	5	Brian Carney
6	Henry Paul	Stand Off		Matthew Johns
7	Robbie Paul	Scrum half	7	Adrian Lam
	Joe Vagana	Prop		Terry O'Connor
9	James Lowes	Hooker	9	Terry Newton
	Brian McDermott	Prop		Harvey Howard
	Daniel Gartner	2nd Row		Mick Cassidy
11	Jamie Peacock	2nd Row		David Furner
	Mike Forshaw	Loose forward	13	Andy Farrell
	Paul Deacon	Interchange		Paul Johnson
	Shane Rigon	Interchange		Chris Chester
	Paul Anderson	Interchange		Denis Betts
	Stuart Fielden	Interchange		Neil Cowie
	Brian Noble	Coach		Stuart Raper