SL Moments: It’s wide to West
It’s one of the most memorable tries in Super League history.
Very few will ever forget the events of that night on September 22, 2000. After a gruelling regular season St Helens and Bradford finished second and third respectively.
Under the old top five play-off format, the winner of this Qualifying Play Off would go onto challenge for a Grand Final place against table toppers Wigan. The loser would take on the winners of Leeds and Castleford.
It was by no means the end of the season for either team, but both teams celebrated like they had won and lost a final. Such was the drama involved, Matthew Elliot fell off his chair as Joynt crossed to touch down while Ian Millward couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he celebrated to the pitch side.
Bradford were winning 11-10 as the game entered the final ten seconds. The away fans could be heard counting down the clock as Bradford conceded a penalty. Paul Sculthorpe set up his side 23 metres from his own try line from the resulting tap, and the magic oozed from Sean Long and his side.
From the acting half back pass to Sean Long, the ball was kicked sideways to Kevin Iro. Iro passed back to Steve Hall, who in turn passed to Sean Hoppe. Hoppe passed back inside to Hall before giving Saints space passing to Tim Jonkers. Jonkers found Long again, who this time decided to run the ball to the other side of the field. Long found Dwayne West in space along the sideline as Eddie Hemmings cried “It’s wide to West” on the television gantry. Dwayne West had indeed found space along the flank before he was closed down by Bradford defenders on the Bull’s 40 metre line. But the damage had been done to the Bradford defence, and West found Chris Joynt in support who outpaced the back chasing defenders to score a remarkable try.
Saints went onto win the Grand Final against Wigan after defeating their rivals in the Qualifying Semi Final. Bradford meanwhile went onto defeat Leeds heavily, but lost out to Wigan eager to recover from their loss to St Helens the previous week.
Relive the try again below: