Bradford Bulls 12 Leeds Rhinos 26: McGuire's hat-trick has Bulls hot under the collar

If the hosts had have boasted someone of such predatory instinct yesterday, they would have overcome their West Yorkshire derby rivals and strengthened their hold on fourth position in Engage Super League.

Instead, wingers Stuart Reardon and Rikki Sheriffe each spurned perfect chances at crucial times and Bradford wilted in the searing heat at Odsal leaving coach Steve McNamara perplexed.

"It was a game of missed opportunities for us," he conceded, his side slipping down to sixth with Leeds now ominously moving a place above.

"If we'd have put those over the try line we could have been looking at a different result.

"It was important to be in front, and on the front foot in these conditions and at the stages where we put the ball down it really would have put us away from Leeds.

"But I don't think mentally we dealt with being behind on the scoreboard and every time we missed one, Leeds seemed to move to the other end and score."

Bradford, who had won six of their seven matches since drawing with Leeds at Easter, a record matched by their opponents, started in commanding fashion despite being without key playmakers Brett Kearney and Matt Orford.

They were 10-4 ahead when their first chance to take hold disappeared.

Steve Menzies's fine cut-out pass gifted Reardon an easy walk-in at the corner but the former Great Britain winger inexplicably dropped the ball and, just moments later in the 27th minute, Leeds retaliated.

Kevin Sinfield's lofted kick was gathered on the run by McGuire to touch down, the provider adding the extras to level at

10-10.

On 51 minutes, Bradford were trailing 20-12 when loose forward Menzies again delivered a sweet wide pass that stranded the Leeds defence.

It was not the easiest for Sheriffe to take but the winger should still have gathered and instead he fumbled to the drone of the majority of a 13,269 crowd.

Ten minutes later, McGuire latched on to an off-load from Greg Eastwood, just as the impressive Kiwi second-rower was falling to the ground near halfway, and advanced clear before too easily rounding Dave Halley and speeding to the posts.

Sinfield improved again and it was job done for Leeds whose second-half gameplan worked a treat.

Three of the visiting forwards – Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ian Kirke and Luke Burgess – were unable to take any part in the second period due to injuries, a setback which would hurt any side but in yesterday's sweltering conditions could have proved critical.

However, Sinfield directed his kicking game at Sheriffe who struggled to deal with his steepling kicks in the raging sun and the Rhinos continually won back possession to the extent where the troubled wideman was switched flanks with Reardon.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan said: "It was very astute kicking and it helped us look after the gas.

"That second half was a fine effort considering we were missing those boys and probably the best half of football we've had."

Bradford, who gave a Super League debut to 19-year-old Danny Addy, had trailed 14-12 at the turnaround but could not add to their score.

The outstanding Elliott Whitehead's fifth minute opener was produce of a remarkable piece of skill from the young second-rower.

Chasing Paul Sykes's grubber kick, and with Leeds full-back Lee Smith looking to usher it behind, he showed fine willing and then dexterity to one-handily palm the ball from high and touch down in a single movement inches from the dead ball line.

They did not push on though, squandering vital possession, and Leeds responded with McGuire's controversial opening try.

Sinfield's wide pass to Delaney floated forward by at least a yard and Scott Donald, after being put clear down the wing, sent a distinctly dubious pass back inside to the scorer creating uproar among the disbelieving home support.

Sinfield could not convert, just as Sykes had failed with his earlier conversion attempt.

Michael Platt rose to collect Sykes's pressurised cross-field kick and impressively spun out of McGuire's attempted tackle before evading Jones-Buchanan to go over by the posts in the 21st minute with Sykes improving but then came Reardon's gaffe.

Nero thought he had scored after another one of Sykes' kicks bounced wickedly back over the head of Donald – playing his first game since February – to touch down but video official Thierry Alibert dubiously deemed the centre had first nudged his opponent.

To rub salt into the wound, Leeds marched down field and finished with Keith Senior crossing after Ryan Hall had rose to take Sinfield's kick above Sheriffe.

Sykes slotted a penalty on the half-time hooter but Delaney crossed two minutes after the re-start, Sinfield nudging his side further ahead for a lead they would never squander.

Bradford: Halley; Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Reardon; Sykes, L'Estrange; Scruton, Godwin, Lynch, Whitehead, Donaldson, Menzies. Substitutes: Addy, Hall, Worrincy, Kopczak.

Leeds: Smith; Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, McGuire; Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Ablett, Kirke, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: Eastwood, Pitts, Diskin, Burgess.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Danny McGuire

The Leeds stand-off has an innate ability to be able to sniff out a try, whether it be through his own individual brilliance or instinctive support play, and his hat-trick was crucial in securing victory for his side.

Villain: Rikki Sheriffe

Needed to score when Steve Menzies gave him sight of the line in the 51st minute and then – facing into the blinding sun – had a nightmare trying to deal with a hail of Leeds kicks.

Key moment: 25th minute

Leading 10-4, the unmarked Bulls winger Stuart Reardon wasted a golden chance in the corner – seconds later, Leeds levelled at the other end through McGuire and Bradford's momentum is lost.

Verdict

Leeds were by no means far better than their rivals but the champions made the most of their chances to eke out victory, something Bradford failed to do.

Next game

Bulls v Warrington, Challenge Cup May 30, 3.30pm. Rhinos v Wigan, Challenge Cup, May 29, 2.30pm.

Quote of the day

When you put some simple chances down like we did, you probably can't complain about other things.

Bradford coach Steve McNamara when asked if his side were harshly treated by the video referee.