Leeds Rhinos defeat Bradford Bulls, Hull topple Castleford

LEEDS RHINOS and Hull FC had the edge in Yorkshire derbies in rugby league's Super League on Sunday.

Bradford 12 Leeds 26

Danny McGuire grabbed a derby hat-trick to help defending champions Leeds leapfrog arch-rivals Bradford into fifth place in the Engage Super League with an impressive victory at the Grattan Stadium.

McGuire's scoring prowess illustrated the Rhinos' clinical finishing, which was in stark contrast to the Bulls' inability to take their chances as they slipped to only their second defeat in eight matches.

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The Bulls performed splendidly in the absence of key overseas pair Matt Orford and Brett Kearney, with Paul Sykes and Heath L'Estrange acquitting themselves well as a makeshift half-back pair.

But Leeds had the edge in McGuire and skipper Kevin Sinfield, who laid the platform for another lively performance which provided further evidence that the champions are getting close to their best after a disappointing first half to the season.

Castleford Tigers 24 Hull FC 36

Hull made it three wins from four Engage Super League games as they beat a Castleford side who refused to lay down on a baking hot afternoon at The Jungle.

The Black and Whites trailed 16-10 at the interval, but after the break they took control of the game, scoring 24 consecutive points as they followed up last weekend's 28-14 win against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan.

Wakefield Wildcats 54 Harlequins 10

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Wakefield ended a miserable six-match losing streak after a classy 10-try display secured a thumping victory over Engage Super League rivals Harlequins.

John Kear's men have struggled badly in recent weeks, losing ground in the race for a play-off spot and being dumped out of the Carnegie Challenge Cup at the hands of Quins.

Yet they rediscovered their form at a sunny Belle Vue as Luke George, Sean Gleeson and Sam Obst touched down in the opening 40 minutes to put them in control.

Kevin Henderson, Damien Blanch, Jason Demetriou and Paul Cooke went over in the second half and Obst, Gleeson and George completed braces.

For the full match reports read Sports Monday inside tomorrow's Yorkshire Post.