First-half display enables Leeds to see off late rally by Bradford

BRIAN McDermott stood next to an electricity hut in the corner of the Provident Stadium rather than the usual coaches’ box – he ended up having the best view in the house of Leeds Rhinos’ victory.

Typically at this point of the season, as has been the case in the past two, the Rhinos are scratching around for form towards the bottom of the play-off zone before a late charge to lifting the Super League trophy at Old Trafford.

There does not look to be the same tensions this time around as the Rhinos produced a scintillating first-half display that sent them third in the table, for the time being at least, and still with two games in hand on leaders Wigan.

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Time and time again, the defending champions sliced open a Bradford side that has impressed everyone this season with its resilience.

Kallum Watkins and Zak Hardaker were particularly at their incisive best.

But this result must have come as a bitter disappointment for the Bulls, who built up this derby occasion and produced a stirring display in the second half, by which time the damage had already been done.

The contrast around Odsal from Leeds’ last visit could hardly be more stark. Reminders of last year’s derby, which was billed as possibly the final ever for Bradford, were plastered around the stadium.

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However, the feeling of impending doom after the much-vaunted pledge scheme was launched, has been replaced with real optimism, especially after an encouraging first half to the season under Francis Cummins’s tutelage.

That bubble looked burst inside eight minutes as McDermott’s men raced out of the traps with two fantastic tries.

Once Watkins powered through Tom Olbison’s challenge, there was no catching the England man and he raced 70 metres to touch down. Leeds’s second try was even better.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan released Brett Delaney, who then found Danny McGuire. As Bradford fans called for a forward pass, Kevin Sinfield found Zak Hardaker and Mitch Achurch finished off a rapier-like move.

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It was ruthless rugby league and a joy to behold but in no match was Bradford’s spirit better exemplified than the first meeting between the sides this season, when Leeds threatened to blow the Bulls away in the opening 10 minutes before a fierce fightback and an 18-18 draw earned by Adam Sidlow’s late try.

But at 12-0 down inside eight minutes, it was already a mountain to climb and Leeds had already gone close twice and their first half was summed up when Jarrod Sammut made a sensational 50-metre dash, only for them to be penalised for crossing when Keith Lulia got in the way of Elliot Kear.

From that, Leeds went to the line and Carl Ablett crashed through weak try-line defence from Rob Burrow’s pass to knock the stuffing out of much of Odsal.

It is a fair bet Jamie Peacock may need to change his phone number if he maintains his form as England coach Steve McNamara will be constantly calling him, attempting to coax him out of international retirement.

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Last night, though, it was Ryan Bailey who was centre of attention after an enforced month on the sidelines because of a suspension, while Bradford’s John Bateman missed out because of a wrist injury sustained in last week’s defeat at Warrington.

The pantomime boos echoed around the stadium when Bailey was introduced but video referee Steve Ganson awarded him a try on the stroke of half-time after McGuire cancelled out Ben Evans’ courageous effort for Bradford.

Kear reduced the arrears with the first try of the second half but surely a comeback was not possible? Hopes were certainly raised when Brett Kearney danced through the defence and touched down.

Suddenly the Bulls were running harder and with more purpose and there were plenty of complaints when Adrian Purtell streaked clear after snapping up Ablett’s pass, only for play to be pulled back.

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This was more like it. It was a derby in every sense of the word and the intensity had certainly picked up.

How Cummins must have wished his side performed in the same manner for the opening 40 minutes.

Hardaker, however, settled any nerves by cleverly realising the tackle was not complete after he was brought down close to the Bradford line and was able to touching down at the second attempt.

Ablett was then sent strolling through a gap by Sinfield’s pass as Bradford’s fans began to stream in bigger numbers towards the exit doors.

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Those who left early in the poor 12,016 crowd – way down on last season’s attendance of almost 20,000 – missed Sinfield complete an immaculate seven goals from seven attempts before Kear’s late second.

Bradford Bulls: B Kearney; E Kear, M Blythe, K Lulia, A Purtell; J Sammut, L Gale; N Scruton, M Diskin, M Manuokafoa, T Olbison, E Whitehead, C Walker. Substitutes: H L’Estrange, D Addy, B Evans, A Sidlow.

Leeds Rhinos: Z Hardaker; K Watkins, C Ablett, J Moon, R Hall; D McGuire, K Sinfield; K Leuluai, R Burrow, J Peacock, M Achurch, B Delaney, J Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes: P McShane, I Kirke, C Clarkson, R Bailey.

Referee: R Silverwood (Mirfield).