This article details the Bradford Bulls rugby league football club's 1998 season, the 3rd season of the Super League era.
February 1998
The 1998 season started off with a 48âÂÂ10 win over Rochdale Hornets in the Challenge Cup 4th Round, it was in this game that Wigan Warriors legend Shaun Edwards made his try scoring debut with the Bulls. However soon they were knocked out of the Cup for the 1st time before the final since the Super League started. It was Castleford Tigers who scored late in the game to beat Bradford 26âÂÂ21.
April 1998
Bradford started off their league hopes with a 38âÂÂ6 win against newly promoted Huddersfield Giants. However they were brought down to earth when they lost 26âÂÂ6 to arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos after a sublime display from fullback Iestyn Harris. Bradford were soon back winning points as they ground out a hard-fought 11âÂÂ4 win against Sheffield Eagles. The Bulls managed to get their 1st back to back wins of the season as they struggled against Hull Sharks but just about scraped a 26âÂÂ24 win.
May 1998
The Bulls won their next game 18âÂÂ4 against St. Helens however the week after Halifax Blue Sox beat Bradford 21âÂÂ16 in a thrilling encounter. Bradford bounced back though by stuffing Castleford Tigers 52âÂÂ10 and then dispatched of London Broncos 17âÂÂ14.
June 1998
June started off poor for the Bulls as they lost 28âÂÂ10 to Warrington Wolves after Graeme Bradley was sent off. Bradford also lost to eventual champions Wigan Warriors 28âÂÂ12. The Bulls bad run continued with a shock 11âÂÂ10 loss to Salford City Reds with Paul Medley scoring Bradford's only try. Bradford got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 36âÂÂ10 victory over Huddersfield Giants.
July 1998
Bradford got off to a great start in July as they beat arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos 33âÂÂ22 at Headingley. The Bulls travelled to Tynecastle Stadium to play London Broncos in an attempt to spread rugby league into Scotland, the Bulls lost to London 22âÂÂ8 with ex Bulls player Shaun Edwards pulling the strings for the Broncos.
August 1998
Sheffield Eagles added to the Bulls misery when they beat Bradford 38âÂÂ18 to kick off August, however it wasn't long before the Bulls won again as they beat Hull Sharks 38âÂÂ18 with Tevita Vaikona scoring 2 tries against his former side. Bradford were brought back to earth with a 33âÂÂ25 defeat at St. Helens, a late Tommy Martyn try and a Sean Long drop goal won it for the Saints. Halifax Blue Sox continued their fine run of form by beating the Bulls 25âÂÂ12 at The Shay. The final game in August saw the Bulls beat Castleford Tigers 24âÂÂ8 to get back to winning ways.
September 1998
The month didn't start well for Bradford as they received a 34âÂÂ8 hammering by London Broncos. The Bulls responded to this defeat by beating Warrington Wolves 36âÂÂ8 at Odsal Stadium. The final two games saw contrasting results, the 1st saw the Bulls get hammered by Wigan Warriors 38âÂÂ4 and the 2nd saw them destroy Salford City Reds 40âÂÂ18 in the final league game of the year.
October 1998
The Bulls crashed out of the playoffs when they lost 46âÂÂ24 to St. Helens at Knowsley Road.
1998 JJB Sports Super League