Bradford Bulls 12 Leeds Rhinos 24

Leeds Rhinos moved top of the Betfred Super League table on Good Friday as they saw off derby rivals Bradford Bulls 24-12 at Bartercard Odsal Stadium.

The first of three instalments between the Rhinos and the Bulls in 2026 saw back-to-back tries from centres Ash Handley and Jack Bird break Bradford, who showed grit to lead at the break. James McDonnell and Cooper Jenkins added to the Leeds try scorers, whilst Jake Connor’s four conversions proved enough to help the Rhinos top the standings.

Capping off a full day of derby action against Bradford, the Rhinos made several changes from their Round Six victory. Whilst the back line remained unchanged, Brad Arthur rotated his forward pack, with Cooper Jenkins coming in to start alongside Tom Holroyd at prop. Chris Hankinson was introduced in the second row, with Kallum Watkins shifting to loose forward, whilst Jarrod O’Connor started at hooker. Danny Levi, Keenan Palasia, Cameron Smith and Mikolaj Oledzki were named on the bench.

The first derby meeting between the two sides in 12 years began at a high intensity, with both teams looking to assert themselves early. Jack Bird continued his strong start in a Rhinos shirt, coming close to opening the scoring after collecting a kick from Jake Connor close to the posts, but he was unable to force his way over the line.

It was the home side who struck first on 11 minutes. After Leeds were penalised following a high shot on Leon Ruan, Bradford worked their way into good field position through Loghan Lewis and Zac Fulton to set up Rowan Milnes, whose well-weighted kick in behind the line allowed Waqa Blake to gather and score.

Leeds were soon back under pressure as a knock on by Maika Sivo handed Bradford possession deep inside their half, but Lachie Miller produced an important defensive intervention to deal with the resulting kick. It helped spark a much-needed response from the away side as a huge 20/40 kick from Jake Connor shifted play deep into Bradford territory. Building pressure, the Rhinos forced the Bulls’ defence to defend their own line for multiple sets, with Bird going closest during a scramble for a loose ball, but the home side held firm.

Leeds eventually found their breakthrough through James McDonnell. Following a half break from Miller and a strong carry from Ryan Hall to relieve pressure, the second rower reacted quickest to his own kick ahead after it was fumbled in-goal, grounding the ball to bring the visitors level. The Rhinos continued to apply pressure and forced further errors from Bradford as they began to find their rhythm. However, a missed opportunity out wide halted their progress before the Bulls were handed a chance to regain the lead, only for Milnes to push a penalty attempt wide.

That miss proved significant as Leeds looked to take control. A strong defensive effort, highlighted by a heavy challenge from Keenan Palasia, handed the Rhinos possession near halfway, but as they threatened through Mikolaj Oledzki and Cameron Smith, a poor end to the set kick from Miller was easily collected by Chris Atkin.

Despite spending most of the half defending, the home side made sure to capitalise on the final chance of the half to take a narrow lead into the break. Caleb Aekins broke through the line before finding Connor Wynne in support to finish, giving the Bulls an 8-6 advantage heading into the dressing rooms.

Frustrations at conceding a try so close to the break quickly evaporated for the Rhinos as Bird finally found his way to the try line within five minutes of the restart. A great set from the Rhinos had the Bulls going backwards towards their own try line and after Hankinson almost forced his way through a hole, Smith and Croft linked up to put Bird through on a crash ball for the centre’s second try in successive games.

Holding a two-point lead for the second time in the game, Leeds knew they needed more points to see off another potential comeback. Miller looked to have been locked down from a deep Milnes kick by Ethan Ryan, but good counter-attacking play saw Handley find room to break free of Joe Mellor’s attempted tackle and race all the way to the try line to make the score 16-8.

Smith came within inches of a third successive score for the Rhinos as he charged onto a short pass from Danny Levi, whilst Hankinson was also brought up short as Bradford’s goal line defence came good once again under the foot of the visitors. Even when the Bulls found themselves in promising field position, the Rhinos found a way to keep the attack at bay as the clock started to become the Bulls’ enemy.

A penalty goal from Connor extended the Rhinos’ lead to ten points after Marsters was penalised for a high shot on Croft, but Jenkins’ try on 69 minutes put the game beyond the Bulls. With the home side tiring after their extensive defensive efforts, Leeds were finding joy pushing through the middle of the field and Jenkins capped a great set off as he crashed under the posts to claim his fifth try of the season. Connor’s conversion sailed through the uprights as the Rhinos inched closer to moving to the top of the Super League table.

Full back Aekins put a dent in the Rhinos’ score as he finished a break by Ryan to pull the score back to 24-12 with five minutes to go, but Miller looked to have restored the Leeds advantage with a weaving drive for the line. The decision was handed to video referee Vella, who overturned the on-field call for an obstruction in the build-up. Nevertheless, the final whistle confirmed a sixth win of the season as the Rhinos moved into first place in the table with a 24-12 final score.

Teams

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, 12. Zac Fulton, 30. Leon Ruan, 13. Joe Mellor (C)

Subs: 14. Mitch Souter, 21. Sam Hallas, 33. Jack Ormondroyd, 34. Phoenix Steinwede (18^th Man – 25. Elliot Peposhi)

Tries: Blake (11), Wynne (38), Aekins (74)

Goals: Milnes 0/3

Penalty Goal: 0/1

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 2. Maika Sivo, 4. Ash Handley (C), 33. Jack Bird, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Jake Connor, 10. Tom Holroyd, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Cooper Jenkins, 14. Chris Hankinson, 12. James McDonnell, 11. Kallum Watkins

Subs: 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 13. Keenan Palasia, 17. Cameron Smith, 23. Danny Levi (18^th Man – 20. Presley Cassell)  

Tries: McDonnell (25), Bird (45), Handley (51), Jenkins (69)

Goals: Connor 3/4

Penalty Goals: Connor 1/1