Leeds Rhinos ended a 23-month wait for a win against Bradford Bulls with a 26-18 triumph at Headingley.

The Rhinos were inspired by two-try Danny McGuire, but matched the Bulls blow for blow in a thrilling game watched by 21,225 supporters.

The Rhinos took a 12th minute lead, when Danny McGuire's grubber bounced off the base of the Bradford post and Andrew Dunemann pounced to touch down.

Kevin Sinfield goaled, but the Bulls were back on terms inside four minutes.  Hape setting up Vainikolo to score. Paul Deacon added the conversion.

It was going to take a special play to break the deadlock, and McGuire provided that five minutes before the break.

The young stand off took Sinfield's long pass and dummied before skirting around Paul Johnson to touch down.

Leeds took a narrow 10-6 lead into the break, but they made an ideal start to the second period with a try inside two minutes.

Both Leon Pryce and Michael Withers were unable to deal with a McGuire grubber, and Marcus Bai snapped up the loose ball to reach over in the corner and create a 14-6 cushion.

Bradford hit back on 55 minutes with a well-worked try, Deacon’s kick to the corner was collected by Hape to touch down.

Deacon's magnificent touchline effort put the Bulls back to within two points, but two tries in a devastating three-minute spell put the Rhinos in command.

Firstly, Sinfield's swift pass from the base of the scrum allowed McGuire to dummy and race in from 30 metres for his second score, before they charged back downfield and Chris Feather capped a strong display by powering in.

Two Sinfield goals put them 26-12 ahead going into the final ten minutes and despite a Vaikona late effort the Rhinos had won.