Bradford were crowned world club champions for the second time in three years after a battling win over Penrith on Friday night.

The Bulls stunned the Australians with first-half tries from Lesley Vainikolo, Leon Pryce and Logan Swann as they repeated their 2002 World Club Challenge success at the McAlpine Stadium.

The Panthers proved a tougher proposition after the break and pulled a try back through Luke Rooney but the Bulls wrapped up the win through Rob Parker.

The Bulls were almost faultless as they showed the determination to upset the odds and win back the trophy they earned after beating Newcastle Knights two years ago.

After a ferocious opening, it was the Bulls who had the first real chance to score when breaks by Pryce and Jamie Peacock created an opening - but Karl Pratt's kick beat a sliding Vainikolo.

The Panthers returned fire via the aerial route, but the Bulls escaped damage after Pryce fumbled Craig Gower's 'bomb'.

There was no let-up in the pace - and when Michael Withers brilliantly hurdled Preston Campbell the Bulls should have taken the lead, but Vainikolo could not catch the full-back's cross-field kick.

The Bulls were then given a let-off when Tony Puletua broke free and Paul Whatuira slid over from Luke Rooney's pass, but the score was ruled out for a double movement.

Bradford made the most of the reprieve and grabbed the opening try when Vainikolo out-jumped Rhys Wesser to pull in a Pratt kick and touch down.

Penrith failed to respond and were caught out again when Pryce sold a dummy to Luke Priddis and twisted his way past two players to add a second try on 26 minutes.

The Bulls' only obvious weakness was the lack of a recognised goalkicker in the absence of Paul Deacon.

Both Lee Radford and Withers missed with conversion attempts from out wide, Withers did manage a penalty to make it 10-0.

Things continued to go the Bulls' way as another 'bomb' from Pratt created a third try three minutes before the break.

This time Withers reacted first to catch the high ball and looked up to send Swann over for a debut try. This time Withers added a straightforward conversion.

The Bulls edged further ahead three minutes into the second half when Withers was offered another simple penalty shot - and the Penrith-born Bulls star made no mistake.

But the Panthers looked a much tougher proposition after the break and were twice denied as Campbell and Priddis were both stopped short of the line.

They finally got themselves on the scoreboard after another Campbell kick caused chaos in the Bulls' in-goal area.

Bulls duo Tevita Vaikona and Pryce and Panthers winger Luke Rooney all failed to deal with the high ball. But Rooney recovered his poise to score.

Penrith threatened again soon afterwards as Campbell raced clear, but Vaikona produced a fine tackle to haul down Whatuira. That kept the Bulls 18-4 ahead with 20 minutes remaining.

Penrith continued to press in the hope of further clawing back some points but the Bulls held firm.

Richard Swain was stopped just short of the line by some desperate defending and Wesser lost the ball as the Bulls looked stretched.

Bradford seemed content to play out the closing 10 minutes without taking risks but Rob Parker came off the bench to wrap up the game with a try in the corner in the dying moments.