Wigan destroy Bulls to reach final

Farrell had his kicking boots on

Wigan 40-12 Bradford

A first-half try-fest from Wigan was enough to book themselves a place in next Saturday's Super League grand final at the expense of Bradford.

It was Bulls' coach Matthew Elliott's final season in charge of the West Yorkshire team and he must be bitterly disappointed at the lacklustre performance from his side.

A hat-trick from Brett Dallas and two tries from Warriors' favourite Jason Robinson shattered the Bradford spirit. The reliable Andy Farrell kicked six from seven to twist the knife deeper into the Bulls' wounds.

Bradford scored through Scott Naylor and Paul Anderson's late effort, but it was not enough on a wet night in Lancashire.

Grip

It was Willie Peters who opened the scoring for Wigan after six minutes with a kick-and-run, which Farrell duly converted.

I saw the winning look in their eyes tonight and it's been there all week

  Wigan coach Frank Endacott

But just seconds later Naylor ran on to hooker Jimmy Lowes' kick from ten yards out to dive over. New Zealander Henry Paul added two more points to level the scores.

But it did not take long for Frank Endacott's side to re-establish their grip on the game.

After 13 minutes, Robinson's endeavour was rewarded with another try, although video evidence had to clear him of the accusation that he knocked the ball on when diving over the Bulls' line.

Wigan veteran Gary Connolly was next to put his name on the scoresheet.

Farrell began the break and following a sweeping move it was left to the Ireland star to go over for the score.

Disillusioned

However Connolly suffered from a horrendous injury in the process which saw him carried off.

It's a disappointing way to finish but I've got to pay credit to Wigan

  Bradford coach Matthew Elliott

After Farrell added the extra, Dallas dived over after superb handling from the kicker.

And eight minutes before half-time it was Dallas who caught a crossfield up-and-under from Farrell to give his side a 22-point lead.

Bradford were expected to come out after the break with all guns-a-blazing - but Wigan had other ideas.

Four minutes into the second-half and it was Dallas again who was on hand to surge over for his hat-trick.

Elliott's side looked thoroughly disillusioned and matters were made worse when Robinson held on to a pass from stand-off Tony Smith to score his second after 65 minutes.

Wigan knew their job had been done and eased the foot off the pedal, which allowed Bradford's Paul Anderson to surge over for a late consolation.