Bradford Bulls 31 Saints 24

SIMPLY magnificent in defeat and worthy of at least a draw!

That was the galling lot of Saints in this clash of the titans when Super League VI was launched in the Valley Parade cauldron on Sunday.

Postponed due to snow on Friday, the meeting of the Challenge Cup holders and World Club champions proved a wonderful advertisment for Rugby League and more's the pity the television cameras were not present to spread the gospel globally.

However, a 16,572 crowd spelled the competition's second largest attendance since its launch in 1996, and despite causing problems for supporters and stewards, that figure is more remarkable when it is remembered the pitch was ruled fit just three hours before kick-off.

As ever, Saints' fans were there in force, and although they left still awaiting a first Super League win at Bradford, the Knowsley Road faithful could console themselves after a stirring performance, with Bulls only sealing victory in the final minutes.

The fact that the lead changed hands four times is a pointer to the end-to-end flow of a game in which, loosely interpreted, it might be said that the opening quarter belonged to Bradford, the second and third to Saints and -- crucially -- the final one to Bulls.

However, it says something for Bradford's resolve that they recovered from a 22-14 deficit to score 17 points in the last 30 minutes to snatch the spoils, even though their handling was not as attractive as that of Saints, whose sleight-of-hand was often of Harlem Globetrotter dimensions.

Lacking the injured Paul Sculthorpe, Kevin Iro and the suspended Vila Matautia, Saints were given a tremendous boost with the return after knee problems of Keiron Cunningham, and the world's best hooker fully justified that heady rating in being Saints' man-of-the-match.

Overall, the lesson to be learned here was that Saints have nothing to fear from the admittedly-daunting Bulls this term, particularly if this season's Australian recruits David Fairleigh and Peter Shiels continue to underline that they are rare captures indeed. Not for the first time, Henry Paul was a thorn in Saints' side with 15 points to scoop Bulls' man-of-the-match accolade, but he was shaded by Super League debutant Shane Rigon, late of Sydney City Roosters and deputising for Lee Gilmour, who notched a hat-trick

Ice and frost gave way to a sunny day -- albeit with a nip in the air -- and, after the kick-off had been delayed due to turnstile congestion, the Bulls stamped into first-minute action when Robbie Paul sent Rigon over on the blind-side, with brother Henry adding the touchline conversion.

Paul senior then tacked on a penalty goal after being held down by Sean Hoppe, and fully 15 minutes elapsed before Saints launched their first real attack for Fairleigh to put Paul Newlove over by the corner flag, with Sean Long landing a superb goal.

More was to come as Saints plundered the lead, with Shiels' slick pass getting Tony Stewart under way, and the young winger fed the supporting Long, whose impetus took him through the tackle of Stuart Spruce to touch down.

Long was off-target with the conversion attempt, before the raging Bulls roared back with a touchdown between the posts by Spruce following a brilliant break by Robbie Paul and, with half-an-hour gone, Saints trailed 14-10.

Stewart had a 'try' refused due to a forward pass, only for Saints to turn round 18-14 to the good via a touchdown by Fairleigh made by Cunningham and two goals by Long.

And the visitors were given a further boost on the restart with a trademark solo score by the irrepressible Keiron.

Newlove had a 'try' disallowed before, tit-for-tat, Bradford hit back with another touchdown by Rigon via Henry Paul and Danny Gartner, and with Paul kicking the touchline goal the outcome was back in the melting pot as Saints clung to a tenuous 22-20 advantage.

The hard-pressed visitors breathed a little easier when Long landed a penalty after Stuart Fielden held down Tim Jonkers, but the scene was now set for Bradford to mount a death-or-glory bid for victory as they subjected Saints' line to incredible pressure.

Giant prop Joe Vagana was turned in the act of scoring, as was comparative lightweight James Lowes, but something had to give, and it did when that man Henry Paul spotted a gap to dive over for another six-pointer.

Lowes then sent Rigon in for his third try, while Henry Paul's last-gasp drop goal meant Bulls were home and dry against a Saints side whose standing ovation was a richly-deserved one.