It was a thrilling year for Bradford Bulls fans, despite the agony of defeat in the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Here Nigel Askham looks back on the joy and the tears.

THE BULLS finished top of the pile after a 30-match Super League programme - but that all seemed forgotten on the second Saturday in October.

Almost three months on it's still difficult to work out how they managed to come second to St Helens at Old Trafford when it mattered most - in the Grand Final.

And back in March a Challenge Cup semi-final defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Leeds Rhinos, when they were so much in control in the opening half hour, meant the trophy cabinet was bare for the second successive year.

But don't get the impression it was all negatives around Odsal as the club got firmly back on track after a disappointing 1998.

Again there was much pride taken in the development of the batch of youngsters coming through the ranks.

And top of the pile was Bradford-born Leon Pryce, who took full advantage of Nick Zisti's failure to adapt to his new surroundings with some inspirational moments from the left wing. It won him not only his own personal fan club around the Odsal terraces, but the admiration of his fellow professionals as he won two young player of the year wards.

Paul Deacon and Stuart Fielden also continued their progress with selection for England and Great Britain respectively, and the Academy proved there is more talent waiting in the wings by finishing as minor premiers too.

While Zisti's form was a major disappointment, there were certainly no complaints about coach Matthew Elliott's other overseas recruits.

Few had heard of former Balmain utility back Michael Withers when Elliott made his move, but the gangling Aussie responded superbly to the new challenge, finishing the season as top try-scorer with 21.

Hardened back-row pro David Boyle was another winner, and his try-poaching ability added a new dimension to the Odsal pack.

But it was Henry Paul who really caught the eye following his switch from Wigan, and the Kiwi punctuated the campaign with moments of pure magic.

His early try at Old Trafford should have provided the platform for a real night of Grand Final celebration, but sadly the Bulls' tag as the "nearly team" was fuelled by what followed.

A club that can attract a record Super League crowd of 24,020 - for the visit of the Rhinos in September - are doing plenty of things right though, and hopes are high that soon they will be rewarded with some silverware.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.