Bradford 12-42 Leeds

Bradford 12 (6) Tries: K Pryce, Reardon Goals: Deacon (2) Leeds 42 (12) Tries: Walker, Ellis, Senior, Burrow (2), Sinfield, Calderwood Goals: Sinfield (7)

Leeds weathered an early storm at Odsal before running riot to crush Bradford with a blitz of second-half tries.

The home side took charge when Karl Pryce went over early on, but the Rhinos edged ahead through Chev Walker and Gareth Ellis before the break.

A Stuart Reardon try two minutes after the restart suggested a Bradford comeback, but instead Leeds cut loose.

Rob Burrow (2), Kevin Sinfield, Keith Senior and Mark Calderwood all went over for an emphatic Leeds victory.

Bradford had no answer to Leeds' tremendous second-half display, with the Rhinos notching up their 20th consecutive win in Super League - one short of the Bulls' record.

We were strong enough, fit enough and fast enough to come through Leeds coach Tony Smith

The home side started promisingly with half-backs Iestyn Harris and Paul Deacon combining to put Stuart Fielden away before the referee blew up for a forward pass.

But Karl Pryce ensured Bradford took the lead shortly after, latching on to a Sinfield and Richie Mathers mix-up to dot down under the posts.

Leeds looked slightly rattled as several passes to prolific winger Mark Calderwood went astray, but a Chev Walker try on 20 minutes calmed their nerves.

Rhinos hooker Andrew Dunemann set up the score with a penetrating run across the field before giving a simple scoring pass to Walker.

The Leeds defence kept Bradford under control at Odsal

Leeds then had a try from Calderwood ruled out by the video referee, but quickly regathered possession and Mathers' run allowed Ellis to put Leeds in front.

The Bulls also made the better start to the second half with Reardon's score - just two minutes after the restart - cutting the Rhinos' lead.

Paul Deacon could not add the conversion, but brought the scores level at 12-12 with a penalty after Mathers' high tackle.

That was as good as it got for the Bulls though as Leeds showed their class to ease clear of their rivals.

Senior capitalised on Marcus Bai's brilliant break for his try, and Burrow put Leeds firmly in control with another score shortly after.

Sinfield put the finishing touch to a lightning-quick counter-attack to extend Leeds' advantage.

Sometimes we try too hard Bulls coach Brian Noble

Calderwood got his customary try after following up Burrow's break and the in-form half-back got his second try of the night to round off an emphatic Leeds victory.

Leeds coach Tony Smith praised his super-fit Rhinos players.

"I didn't expect that scoreline, so I'm really happy. It was a close contest for a lot of the match so I am delighted at the outcome," he said.

"We knew they would be really determined. They have been building this match up for a couple of weeks.

"They started strong but we were strong enough, fit enough and fast enough to come through."

Bulls coach Brian Noble criticised referee Karl Kirkpatrick but refused to make excuses after his side's crushing defeat.

Referring to a penalty against Karl Pratt, Noble said: "Are we not entitled to ask questions?

"But we need to have a look at what we did with the ball. We are not as organised as we would like to be.

"Sometimes we try too hard. We have to put it right. But we had other opportunities to apply more pressure."

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Bradford: L. Pryce, Reardon, Langley, K. Pryce, Vainikolo, Harris, Deacon, Vagana, Paul, Fielden, Peacock, Meyers, Radford.
Replacements: Ferres, Pratt, Lynch, Parker.

Leeds: Mathers, Calderwood, Walker, Senior, Bai, Sinfield, Burrow, Bailey, Dunemann, Ward, Lauitiiti, McKenna, Ellis.
Replacements: McDermott, Poching, Scruton, Botham.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington)