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Last-gasp Leeds Rhinos grab derby bragging rights
Champions Leeds Rhinos scored seven points in the final two minutes to finally see off a massive Bradford Bulls challenge in a see-sawing derby at Headingley Carnegie tonight.
The 33-20 final scoreline was tough on Bulls, who trailed 16-2 at the end of the first quarter but battled back to lead by 14 minutes into the second half.
Leeds were hanging on to a 26-20 lead in the 78th minute when skipper Kevin Sinfield had a drop goal attempt charged down, but Lee Smith gathered the rebound to bang over a crucial one-pointer.
Bulls got the ball back from a short kick-off, but Paul Deacon's kick was collected by Keith Senior, then Ali Lauitiiti and Danny Buderus worked the ball to Scott Donald, who raced over from halfway – Sinfield completing the scoring with his fourth conversion.
Senior was outstanding for Leeds, well supported by Brent Webb, Sinfield, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow and two-try Ryan Hall.
Skipper Paul Deacon ran the show for Bulls, Andy Lynch was impressive in the front row and Michael Worrincy enjoyed some good moments in the second half.
Leeds raced through the opening quarter and looked on course for a big win, but they will be disappointed at the way they let Bradford back in the contest – and embarrassed at the way their defence was exposed for Bulls' first two tries.
As usual, Rhinos lost the penalty count, referee Phil Bentham awarding them six to Bulls' nine.
For the second successive week, Rhinos conceded points before they'd had possession. Deacon's kick-off found touch and following the scrum, Smith was penalised for interference on Sam Burgess and Deacon kicked the goal.
Rhinos' response was immediate, Hall going over for his 18th and 19th tries of the season in the space of four minutes.
The first came from Senior's superb back-handed offload, then Buderus, Burrow and Webb – who went off hurt in the second half – linked across the line before Senior again provided the final pass.
Leeds went further ahead when Jamie Jones-Buchanan dashed over from Burrow's defence-splitting pass, on 21 minutes, following back-to-back drop-outs.At that stage, Leeds looked ready to run away with the game and they would have been out of sight had Hall not passed to Steve Menzies after Sinfield, Burrow, Jones-Buchanan and Webb had opened up the defence.
But the second quarter was more even and Bulls were still in it when they trailed by only 10 points at the break.
Semi Tadulala gave the visitors a lifeline with an astonishing try, taking Ben Jeffries' last-tackle pass on the left wing, racing across field, then straightening up to power over 20 metres in from the right flank.
Deacon's conversion cut the gap to 16-8 on 25 minutes.
In the final seconds of the half, Bradford were caught offside and Sinfield booted the penalty to make it 18-8 at half-time.
After absorbing 10 minutes of solid pressure at the start of the second half, Bulls hit Rhinos twice on the counter in the space of five minutes to go two points up.
Deacon caught the defence napping from acting-half, then – after Dave Halley was tackled just short – Jamie Langley, Deacon and Leeds old boy Nick Scruton switched play left and Menzies powered over, Deacon converting both to make it 20-18 on 56 minutes.
The lead lasted just four minutes, Sinfield levelling the scores with a penalty after Terry Newton's high tackle on Jamie Peacock.
Five minutes later, McGuire was penalised for interference on Lynch, but Deacon sent his kick wide.
A thrilling run by Hall cleared Leeds' lines, Bulls were penalised for Sam Burgess' flop and following the touch-finder, Burrow slipped past Worrincy and dashed away from the cover for a spectacular solo try, converted by Sinfield.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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