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Match Report

Leeds Rhinos 28 Bradford Bulls 18

 Friday 8th August 2008, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds

Scott Donald and Brent Webb returned to the Rhinos squad this week, but Toopi, Lauitiiti and Toopi were still out, for the visit of the Bradford Bulls, who have had more than their fair share of injuries in the last few weeks as well. It was a must win for the Rhinos, but unfortunatly for Leeds, it was a must win for the Bulls too. A loss for Leeds could have thrown away any hope of getting the league leaders shield, whilst for the Bulls, if they lost, there would be a possibility that they could finish out of the six for the first time in Super League.

The opening exchanges of the game were fierce, and that was proven in the first five minutes. The Bulls put pressure on Scott Donald who was preparing to jump and catch a kick, and after Platt knocked the Leeds winger into the in goal area, whilst regaining his feet, he felt the need to use Scotty’s head to help him on his way. This didn’t go down well, as expected, with the Leeds players or fans - especially when Platt head butted Donald after the tackle was complete. Burrow then came in to break Platt away from his team mates, and in doing so, he got knocked in the head by a Bradford player. It was handbags from then on in. Ben Thaler (referee) pulled out a yellow card, but suprisingly for Burrow as well as Platt. For a start, Platt should of most certainly of been red carded. That’s something that will most certainly be going to the disciplinary panel on Tuesday evening at Red Hall. Burrow went off with blood pouring down his face, but returned after his ten minutes, whilst it was the last we saw of Donald, on his return from the birth of his baby daughter. What a coincidence that he had never missed a minute of a Rhinos game since he arrived at the club for the 2006 season, but then does a week after he took a day off for the birth of his child.

Ben Thaler awarded the visitors a goal line drop out, and in that set, Jeffries ran on the angle before passing to Sykes who slid over a moist Headingley Carnegie try line, right in front of the fans in the Carnegie Terrace. Harris kicked the two and we were down 6-0.

Leeds got their half of the scoreboard ticking on the fifteen minute mark. Leeds were gifted a penalty after a Bradford player fumbled the ball near his own line. Leeds moved the ball from right to left, but the ball finally found Brent Webb, who then played a wonderful long pass out to Tansey, out on the wing, sidestepping two or three defenders (in Donald’s position). He then went over in the corner. Sinfield failed to convert, so the Rhinos were two points behind.

Moments before the twenty minute point, Diskin made a great line break, running thirty metres, before offloading to the supporting Luke Burgess. He almost lost his footing, but did make it over the line. Sinfield added the extras needed, and Leeds were leading, 10-6.

It was thirteen minutes until we scored our next. Senior made a break, allowing Burrow to dash like a small animal or child in excitement. Peacock was the next person on the ball, running hard before putting Scruton over, even if he did take the Bulls defenders with him. Sinfield converted again to extend the lead, 16-6.

Five minutes before the half time hooter, and it was evident that the Bulls didn’t want to just reduce the deficit. Evans stole the ball from Smith, which confused the Rhinos defence, allowing him to promenade over the whitewash. Harris kicked, to make the score 16-12.

And for a moment, it looked like that wasn’t going to be the score taken in at half time. Finnigan looked to of got a clean break, and was set on scoring a try, until Senior just came from what looked to be the other side of the pitch, to tackle the attacker. So 16-12 - that was the score at the interval.

Bradford once again showed that they weren’t just going to give up, they did try to regain their early lead. A kick on the fifth was knocked backward by an unknown Bulls hand, about three metres from the Leeds line. Godwin caught it to stroll over and ground the ball. Harris put his side in the lead, 18-16 to the Bulls.

On fifty nine minutes, a kick on the last by McGuire, (who made a few mistakes in the first half) which landed in Bradford’s in goal area, was touched down by Ablett, who did brilliantly to manage to keep himself within the field of play. Mr. Thaler did go to Ian Smith (video ref) for confirmation, and he awarded the try. Sinfield was off the pitch, so it was Burrow who stepped up to the pressure and took the conversion. He was successful in his attempt, boosting Leeds’ lead to 22-18.

Eight minutes before time, and it looked like the home side had sealed victory, but McGuire’s attempt was denied due to a double movement, which in all fairness was visible for all to see.

In the closing moments of the game, after a forced goal line dropout, McGuire secured victory for the Rhinos in the big West Yorkshire derby for the fourth time this season, and put Leeds right back in the league title race again. Sinfield and Diskin both went close in that set, but a superb pass by the skipper cut out the defence, allowing McGuire to go over. Sinfield found his boot again, right on the final hooter.

It wasn’t the greatest game, but it was a typical derby game, with plenty of determination from both sides. It was a must win for both, but for Leeds, it now basically means that we have second place in the engage Super League, a great advantage for the play offs. It wasn’t the best game - Leeds weren’t displaying the champagne rugby they were in the derby on the Easter weekend earlier this year, but it was a win, and a big win which will have restored plenty of confidence.

Next up for Leeds; Castleford, at the Headingley Carnegie Stadium again.

Three games left, three wins needed. It’ll be great for the squad to get some great reassuring wins on their back to take into the play offs. Maybe this resembles last year?

Bluey’s View and a player interview will be on the site soon - we’re sorry they are a bit late!

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