The Bulls slumped to their third Silk Cut Challenge Cup defeat at the hands of St Helens in six seasons at Twickenham.

Brian Noble's men began brightly enough but failed to put points on the board and they faded badly after that as Saints confirmed their standing as the best club side in the world right now.

Sean Long was the architect of their win with some superb kicking and running as he lifted the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.

The Bulls had to be content with three goals from Henry Paul but they had little spark in attack as Saints greater flair and mobility won the day before a crowd of 68,250.

The Bulls lined up with Aussie Michael Withers at full-back in place of Stuart Spruce, who failed to recover from a shoulder injury in time for the showpiece event.

Withers was looking to extend a remarkable scoring sequence in the competition which has seen him touchdown at least once in each of the last nine ties in the competition.

It meant that Lee Radford was the unlucky man to miss out on selection, with coach Brian Noble plumping for two backs on the bench in Paul Deacon and Lee Gilmour.

The Twickenham pitch was freshened up half an hour from kick-off with a torrential downpour but by the time the match started the picture was - temporarily - brighter.

The Bulls dominated the opening exchanges with Withers threatening down the middle after linking up nicely from the back. As the pressure continued Henry Paul's kick signalled danger but Sean Long managed to push the ball dead with Robbie Paul ready to pounce.

Then Mike Forshaw showed neat footwork and was held up only inches from the line.

But Saints weathered the early storm and were soon mounting attacks themselves as the Bulls lost their way.

Prop Brian McDermott was forced to pull off vital tackles on Anthony Sullivan and Sonny Nickle.

But in another attack Shane Rigon obstructed David Fairleigh as he chased a long grubber and was sent to the sin-bin.

Saints kept the pressure on by taking a quick tap and scored when Long put a slide-rule kick to the line and Tommy Martyn followed-up to beat Henry Paul to the touchdown.

Long duly added the goal and Saints were on their way.

Joynt and Long caused more problems on the Bulls right and Scott Naylor did well to halt the charging Paul Newlove.

Former Bulls centre Newlove went high on Joe Vagana but the resulting Bulls penalty again come to nought.

However, the Bulls were on the scoreboard after 19 minutes when Fairleigh pinched the ball from Paul Anderson, who had replaced Vagana seconds earlier, and Henry Paul made no mistake with the penalty from under the posts.

James Lowes then made a great break after some fluent Bulls handling but again the finishing touch was missing as Robbie Paul's kick was watched dead by Saints full-back Paul Wellens.

Stuart Fielden replaced Brian McDermott as the Bulls looked for more forward momentum but after 26 minutes Saints stretched their advantage.

Again Long was the architect with a grubber kick and the ball rebounded off the leg of Daniel Gartner into the path of Keiron Cunningham, who was left with a simple run to the line past Withers.

Long's goal made it 12-2 and the Bulls were up against it.

Withers gave them hope at the other end with a fine break, but his attempted pass to Rigon was wayward as Sonny Nickle put in the tackle.

Saints were still holding the upper hand and after another spell of pressure Martyn dropped a neat goal to push them 11 points clear.

The Bulls were holding on grimly and gave themselves some encouragement just before the half-time hooter.

Saints substitute Vila Matautia was penalised for holding down Robbie Paul and brother Henry stroked over the penalty from 35 metres.

Half-time: Bradford Bulls 4, St Helens 13

The Bulls had it all to do as the second half began in another heavy shower.

They were quickly on the attack with Sean Long being penalised for a high tackle on Rigon and Henry Paul's kick to touch gave them the platform to attack.

But the Saints again held them out an they had to be content with another two points as Henry Paul hit the target following an offside ruling to make it 6-13.

Skipper Robbie Paul then sliced through in great style but Wellens clung on to him as he attempted a side-step and his attempted pass to the support went astray.

At the other end Long put in another testing kick to the line and Withers was forced to push the ball dead.

McDermott then replaced the injured Jamie Peacock but it was Saints looking the more dangerous and Withers was forced to pull off a great tackle on the impressive Long.

Saints went close again when Long put in a fine kick to the line and there were scares when Tevita Vaikona failed to collect with Martyn ready to pounce but the video referee ruled there was no proper grounding.

But in comparison the Bulls just couldn't seem to get going on attack and Lowes and Henry Paul were both guilty of losing possession.

Saints missed the chance to extend their lead after 56 minutes.

Robbie Paul put the ball down 40 metres out from his own line and Martyn was taken out off the ball by Vagana after hacking ahead.

Sean Hoppe hacked ahead again but when the ball just rolled dead referee Russell Smith took the play back to the initial offence where Long dragged a simple penalty attempt wide

Bradford brought on Lee Gilmour for Naylor to try and spark something for the Bulls who were well below par against a well-drilled Saints defence.

A Henry Paul 40/20 gave the Bulls the chance to launch a late assault but Stuart Fielden lost possession and some backchat saw the Saints clear the danger.

There was another scare for the Bulls as that man Long again kicked them under pressure and Henry Paul let the ball slip from his grasp behind the line but he just managed to recover in time to get a crucial touch with Tim Jonkers diving for the ball.

Paul Deacon replaced Jimmy Lowes as the Bulls tried a last-ditch effort to spark themselves into life, but time was running out.

Their day seemed to be summed up when Forshaw was ruled to have knocked on when it appeared to have gone behind him.

Gilmour then lost the ball and the Bulls were penalised for pinching it back. Saints didn't go for goal and decided to keep the pressure on.

Peter Sheils was held inches short by Rigon as Saints confirmed their superiority on the day and the final hooter ended a bitterly disappointing day for the Bulls.