Kicking game remains key to curbing Bulls' heavy artillery (From Warrington Guardian)

Kicking game remains key to curbing Bulls' heavy artillery

Mike Critchley's big match preview

THE Powergen Challenge Cup was supposed to be on display at Tuesday's Knowsley Road press conference.

But apparently the old silver pot got stuck in traffic on the other side of the Pennines - and if you listen to some pundits, who cannot see beyond the Bulls, that is where the cup is destined to stay this season.

Although it won't necessarily count for much come 2.15pm on Sunday, Saints' Challenge Cup record against the recently crowned World Club Champions is impressive - with three Cup Final wins telling their own story.

The last time Saints were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Bradford, the Bulls were still plain old Northern and the thought of today's fireworks and razzmatazz being linked to Peter Fox's old side was unthinkable.

Still one thing has not changed from that day back in 1980. Bradford's big pack, led by old war-horse Jimmy Thompson and Jeff Grayshon, was the key to victory.

On Sunday size will again be the biggest difference between the sides, with the Bulls' 20 stone props Paul Anderson and Joe Vagana leading the heavy artillery.

They are backed up by Great Britain's outstanding test front rower Stuart Fielden and Rob Parker (both 17 stoners).

And when you throw in strong running Man of Steel Jamie Peacock and Lee Radford, you realise Saints are going to have a midfield battle on their hands.

Or will they? Last time Saints played at Odsal they refused to be drawn into a war of attrition, neutralising Bulls' weight advantage with an astute kicking game, which made the big men turn constantly.

It worked - Saints out-thought, out-witted and out-kicked the Bulls, rattling in 35 points without reply on a rain-lashed night.

Bulls did avenge that defeat by virtually trampling all over Saints in the last game of the regular league season.

Lesley Vainikolo,17st 2, and Tevita Vaikona, 16st 2, are currently causing terror down the flanks.

Vainikolo, scorer of five tries in Friday night's Super League opener against Wigan, made mince-meat out of highly-rated international Brian Carney.

Once he gets the ball in his hand he his hard to pull down - but in the past Saints have been able to find his Achilles Heel.

The key to beating Vainikolo is making him turn and bend, particularly if you can get a rebound off the fold-up Odsal corners.

At present it looks as though Ian Millward may resist the temptation of fighting fire with fire by throwing his own 17 stone South Sea Islander, Dom Feaunati, up against him.

The nimbler men Darren Albert and Ade Gardner may get an edge.

Bulls have strength in depth, and have coped with losing players of the calibre of Robbie Paul, Paul Deacon and now Shontayne Hape, who broke his arm last Friday.