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Superleague XVIII - Round 14
3rd May 2013
Rhinos Survive Second Half Bulls Comeback
Bradford kicked off with Leeds playing towards the function rooms under the control of Mirfield’s finest.
In the first set the Rhinos looked like a score was possible a cruel bounce of the ball denying them. Is this a taste of how the match will pan out or will Bradford give as good as they get?
An attempted 40/20 by ex Leeds youngster Gayle is fielded over his head by Hall who passes inside to Watkins he dances through some feeble defence to run 80 metres for the first score. A carbon copy of his try last week at Kingston upon Hull, hopefully not the last – in full flow Watkins is a beautifully balanced athlete.
The Rhinos just look half a yard quicker than the men in white, especially in their defensive line speed. A few minutes later JJB puts Delaney through the same hole as Watkins – not Chev’s finest few minutes – he passes to McGuire who gives a great stunning short pass to his captain, the ball ends up with Achurch who scores. Sinfield converts 12-0 Rhinos after only 8 minutes is it going to be rout?
Much has been said about the Rhino’s improved defensive attitude, never was this better illustrated than JJB’s total domination of Diskin in one tackle. The Bradford man was pushed back 10 metres in the wrong direction. Bradford got into the game and enjoyed a period with the ball, a Sinfield kick through on the quarter hour was knocked dead by Kearney. Bradford ball as Kearney was deemed to have a foot over the line – surely such a negative rule needs a review? More pressure from the Rhinos and Sammut proves no match for Ablett’s power, 18-0 Rhinos.
Ben Evans – on loan from Warrington – forced his way over for a deserved try despite Kylie’s attention to his head. Was the comeback on? Sinfield’s punt out on the full from the kick off did nothing to reduce the concern. Order was restored a few minutes later following some excellent work from McShane who put McGuire through for a simple touchdown – Sinfield added the extras 24-6 Rhinos.
On the stroke of half time Bailey’s strength was too much and after his second referral to the video ref Bailey was not to be denied this time. Half time Rhinos 30 – Bulls 6 surely game over?
As the second half kicked off the question from the terraces was how many would the Rhinos score?
Two unanswered tries by the Bulls from Kear and Kearney had the Rhinos fans thinking about Easter and how the Bulls stole a point from the home side, 30-16 to the Rhinos. Could the Rhinos steady the ship ?
With 15 minutes to go Hardaker scrambled over for the try that finally put the game to bed.
Rhinos fans could breath easy for the final ten. The game concluded with a second try apiece for Ablett and Kear Rhinos 42 Bulls 22.
Match Facts
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No.
|
Player
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T
|
G
|
DG
|
|
No.
|
Player
|
T
|
G
|
DG
|
|
1
|
Hardaker
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
Kearney
|
1
|
|
|
|
3
|
Watkins
|
1
|
|
|
|
5
|
Kear
|
2
|
|
|
|
12
|
Ablett
|
2
|
|
|
|
4
|
Blythe
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
Moon
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
Lulia
|
|
|
|
|
5
|
Hall
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
Purtell
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
Sinfield
|
|
7
|
|
|
6
|
Sammut
|
|
3
|
|
|
6
|
McGuire
|
1
|
|
|
|
7
|
Gale
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
Leuluai
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
Scruton
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
Burrow
|
|
|
|
|
14
|
Diskin
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
Peacock
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
Manuokafoa
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
Delaney
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
Olbison
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
Achurch
|
1
|
|
|
|
12
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Whitehead
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|
|
|
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11
|
Jones-Buchanan
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|
|
|
|
15
|
Walker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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18
|
Clarkson
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
L'Estrange
|
|
|
|
|
9
|
McShane
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|
|
|
|
19
|
Addy
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|
|
|
|
17
|
Kirke
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
Evans
|
1
|
|
|
|
16
|
Bailey
|
1
|
|
|
|
27
|
Sidlow
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|
|
|
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Kick Off:
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20:00
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Half-Time:
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30-6
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Referee:
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Richard Silverwood
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Crowd:
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12,016
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