Leeds (12) 12
Tries: Hall, Jones-Buchanan Goals: Sinfield 2
Bradford (10) 18
Tries: Elima 2 Goals: Ah Van 5

Patrick Ah Van has now kicked 63 goals for the Bulls this season

Patrick Ah Van booted Bradford to a classic local derby victory over Leeds at Headingley.

The battling Bulls trailed 12-10 at the break, despite Olivier Elima twice responding to tries by Ryan Hall and Jamie Jones-Buchanan.

But Leeds were totally shut out by the visitors after the break.

Ah Van then kicked four second-half penalties to add to his conversion before the break as Bradford kept alive their hopes of a top eight finish.

Leeds had twice beaten Bradford in Super League action this season, the first of those two victories, at Cardiff back on the opening weekend of the campaign, having seen them come from 28-10 down with just 20 minutes left.

But, after Bradford loose forward Elima's first-half brace kept his side in it, this time Leeds could not manage a single point after the break. And, in an error-strewn encounter characterised by poor handling, the Bulls deserve great credit for keeping Leeds scoreless after the resumption.

The Headingley faithful pointed an accusing finger at referee Steve Ganson for awarding Bradford their series of kickable penalties but Leeds coach Brian McDermott refused to condemn the official.

And, thanks to a performance overflowing with courage and determination, Mick Potter's Bulls withstood everything the Rhinos could throw at them in the second half to hold on for a first victory at Headingley in almost four years in front of a bumper 18,095 crowd.

The home side, handicapped by the loss of stand-off Danny McGuire beforehand with a leg injury, were also guilty of letting several gilt-edged chances go begging.

Leeds also lost Hall with a dead leg, while Bulls stand-off Ben Jeffries was helped off in the second half after taking a heavy blow to the head but, in an ill-tempered West Yorkshire derby, tensions again boiled over at the end when punches were traded between both sets of players.

Leeds coach Brian McDermott:

"It was a dour game of rugby league, won by the team who handled the conditions better.

"We had enough possession and didn't convert it to tries, so I don't feel hard done to by the referee at all. You have to be able to deal with referees.

"If Steve Ganson had a bearing on penalties you have to be able to deal with it. I thought we got too emotional at times."

Bradford coach Mick Potter:

"You only really remember the last couple of games but yes, this is very satisfying to come here and win against a quality team.

"Our guys were determined to get the result, no matter what Leeds threw at them.

"I've been pleased with the way the guys hang in and look after one another and work for one another. But tonight there was just that little bit extra in them and we want to get that out of them every week."

Leeds: Webb; Smith, Delaney, Ablett, Hall; Sinfield, Burrow; Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Hauraki, Jones-Buchanan, Clarkson.

Replacements: McShane, Kirke, Bailey, Lauitiiti.

Bradford: Kearney; Crookes, Ah Van, Whitehead, Raynor; Jeffries, Herbert; Lynch, Diskin, Kopczak, Langley, Sibbit, Elima.

Replacements: Scruton, Platt, Hargreaves, Addy.

Attendance: 18,095.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).

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