Leeds Rhinos extend Super League lead with victory over Bradford Bulls
Leeds Rhinos have moved two points clear at the top of the Super League table following a 42-12 victory over Yorkshire rivals Bradford Bulls at Headingley. The Rhinos scored seven tries in the match, bouncing back after a recent defeat to Castleford Tigers.
The win, however, was overshadowed by an injury to the league’s top try-scorer, Maika Sivo. Sivo, who has scored 29 tries this season, was forced off in the first half with a suspected broken forearm. Head coach Brad Arthur indicated that the injury could sideline him for six to eight weeks. Sivo was seen with his right arm in a sling at the end of the game.
James McDonnell made his 100th Super League appearance for the Rhinos, scoring two tries during the contest. Other try-scorers for Leeds included Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins, and Kallum Watkins. Jake Connor successfully converted seven goals, maintaining a 100% record with the boot.
Match Overview
The struggling Bradford Bulls, who have now lost six of their last seven Super League matches, initially took the lead in the ninth minute. Guy Armitage, the left edge centre, touched down after expertly reaching a grubber kick from Chris Atkin.
Leeds faced an early setback when Sivo sustained his injury while making a tackle on the halfway line. Despite this, the home side quickly regrouped. McDonnell intercepted a pass from Atkin, racing clear to score his first try. Three minutes after a try was disallowed for a double movement, Connor set up Watkins, allowing McDonnell to score his second try on the right wing.
Rhinos half-back Croft then created an opportunity for O’Connor, who darted through a gap to score. Connor’s conversion gave Leeds a 12-point lead at the break. The Bulls briefly re-entered the contest five minutes into the second half when Ethan Ryan scored a superb try, receiving a return pass after catching Riley Dean’s up-and-under.
However, this proved to be short-lived for Bradford. Holroyd capitalised on Connor’s 40-20 kick to barge over from close range, re-establishing Leeds’ 12-point advantage. Leeds continued to extend their lead when Croft pounced on a loose ball after Connor’s high kick was not collected by Connor Wynne, scoring Leeds’ fifth try.
Jenkins broke through Eliot Peposhi’s attempted tackle to score on the hour mark. Connor then set up Watkins for another try, and his subsequent conversion meant he had slotted seven from seven with the boot. Bradford’s frustrations were evident when Armitage intercepted a pass from Lachie Miller, but Ryan knocked on at a crucial moment.
Coaches’ Reactions and Injury Concerns
Leeds coach Brad Arthur expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience. He told BBC Radio Leeds that he was happy with their courageous performance, noting that while they could have played with more control and left some points out there, they were able to defend effectively.
Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty reflected on his team’s performance, stating that he felt they gifted Leeds many of their opportunities. He highlighted individual errors and a lack of concentration in key moments as factors contributing to their defeat, especially against a strong opponent like Leeds. Haggerty also mentioned his pride in the club’s ability to avoid the loan market so far, despite having 15 first-team players unavailable.
Sivo’s injury adds to a growing list of sidelined players for Leeds, which already includes captain Ash Handley, Keenan Palasia, and Daniel Levi. The Rhinos have seven matches remaining in their regular campaign, which concludes on Friday, 11 September.
Source: bbc.co.uk
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
