BRADFORD BULLS 12 LEEDS RHINOS 24
PHIL CAPLAN, Bartercard Odsal, Friday

TWELVE years in the Super League making, this rivalry restored saw Leeds edge home and go – at least temporarily – top of the league.

The Bulls, until now unbeaten at home in 2026, showed tremendous resolve to stay in the game but just ran out of energy.

Despite being buffeted by the winds of Storm Dave, the terraces rocked creating an atmosphere redolent of previous memorable nights, while there was a wonderfully respectful minutes’ applause held for Geoff Burrow.

The hosts suffered a blow beforehand, losing Jayden Nikorima to a hamstring injury in training. Chris Atkin stepped into the halves, while there were returns for Zac Fulton and Connor Wynne.

Leeds opted not to recall Harry Newman, but rotated their pack with Chris Hankinson coming into the second row and Jarrod O’Connor starting.

Rhinos had the wind in their favour initially and won the early territorial battle, with Jack Bird held out by the posts from a high Jake Connor kick.

After the sides traded penalties, Rowan Milnes grubbered to the in-goal and Waqa Blake pounced for an early Bradford lead, although Milnes’ conversion attempt hit a post.

Maika Sivo knocked on a low Milnes kick but Leeds held and countered with a Connor 40/20, from which they gained three penalties, a set restart and a goal-line drop-out, only for Fulton to produce two superb tackles to deny Ash Handley.

The Bulls’ defence commendably held out the barrage but after Lachlan Miller made a fine clearing break, James McDonnell grubbered back inside to the in-goal and won the chase to the ball to score, with Connor goaling to give Leeds the lead.

Milnes expertly kicked to the Leeds line in search of a Bradford response and, on the back of two penalties, missed the opportunity to level matters in the 32nd minute.

After failing to capitalise on two drop-outs, Wynne brilliantly covered a Miller kick and he ended a sweeping move in the opposite corner, set up by Caleb Aekins, to give the hosts an 8-6 half-time lead.

Leeds were back in front six minutes into the second half, running on a last play with Cameron Smith finding Brodie Croft whose bullet pass sent in Bird.

Seven minutes after that, Miller covered a Milnes kick and Smith sent Handley into space. The centre careered over from 60 metres out, showing terrific speed, balance and power.

More excellent home desperation kept out Smith and Hankinson, and Bradford received their first two set restarts on the hour but couldn’t capitalise.

When Esan Masters went high on Croft, Connor goaled for a ten-point lead.

Leeds continued to run on the last until Croft kicked and they got the ball back, from which Cooper Jenkins powered over to clinch victory nine minutes from time.

The Bulls got reward for their efforts late on as Aekins linked for a wonderful Joe Mellor score, although Atkin’s conversion was off target.

Leeds responded immediately when Miller crawled over, but the try was ruled out by the video referee.

GAMESTAR: Cameron Smith was a massive presence off the bench.

GAMEBREAKER: Ash Handley’s sensational solo try gave Leeds a two-score advantage.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: The sight of Odsal under lights with the fireworks going off as the teams came out to 15,000 fans.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Cameron Smith (Leeds)
2 pts Connor Wynne (Bradford)
1 pt Lachlan Miller (Leeds)

MATCHFACTS

BULLS
1 Caleb Aekins
23 Connor Wynne
3 Esan Marsters
4 Waqa Blake
5 Ethan Ryan
32 Chris Atkin
7 Rowan Milnes
8 Ryan Sutton
9 Andy Ackers
10 Loghan Lewis
30 Leon Ruan
12 Zac Fulton
13 Joe Mellor
Subs (all used)
14 Mitch Souter
21 Sam Hallas
33 Jack Ormondroyd
34 Phoenix Steinwede
18th man (not used)
25 Eliot Peposhi
Also in 21-man squad
6 Jayden Nikorima
17 Ed Chamberlain
18 Joe Keyes

Tries: Blake (12), Wynne (38), Aekins (74)
Goals: Milnes 0/3, Atkin 0/1

RHINOS
1 Lachlan Miller
2 Maika Sivo
33 Jack Bird
4 Ash Handley
5 Ryan Hall
6 Brodie Croft
7 Jake Connor
15 Cooper Jenkins
9 Jarrod O’Connor
10 Tom Holroyd
14 Chris Hankinson
12 James McDonnell
11 Kallum Watkins
Subs (all used)
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
13 Keenan Palasia
17 Cameron Smith
23 Danny Levi
18th man (not used)
20 Presley Cassell
Also in 21-man squad
3 Harry Newman
16 Ethan O’Neill
19 Jeremiah Matautia

Tries: McDonnell (24), Bird (46), Handley (51), Jenkins (69)
Goals: Connor 4/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 8-6; 8-10, 8-16, 8-18, 8-24, 12-24

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Bulls: Connor Wynne; Rhinos: Cameron Smith

Penalty count: 6-5
Half-time: 8-6
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 14,991